LTU - Sabonis getting better after heart attack

KAUNAS (FIBA) - International basketball great Arvydas Sabonis of Lithuania is in a Kaunas hospital recovering from a heart attack.

Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as part of the 2010 class, Sabonis felt unwell last night after playing in a pick-up basketball game and wanted to be examined by doctors.

The secretary general of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LBBF), Mindaugas Balciunas, visited the 2.21m Sabonis on Wednesday morning and later said to FIBA.com: "Everything is okay.

"He's quite well compared to yesterday. Yesterday he had some problems with his heart, the heart attack, but not big."

Sabonis, 46, won the Olympic gold medal with the former Soviet Union in 1988 and claimed bronze with Lithuania at the '92 and '96 Games in Barcelona and Atlanta.

He had a lot of success with his clubs in Europe and also had a long stint in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Sabonis has had an extremely busy 2011, travelling around the world as the EuroBasket Ambassador.

He worked tirelessly in the build-up to the event, and while the 24-team tournament was being staged in Panevezys, Siauliai, Alytus, Klaipeda, Vilnius and Kaunas.

"The heart doesn't hurt and he's fit, so it's a question of time when he'll be fully recovered," Balciunas said.

"In one week, he will be released from the hospital and then will have some three weeks of rehabilitation."

Balciunas says the heart attack will not prevent Sabonis from becoming the new LBBF president on September 24.

Sabonis had spoken enthusiastically about wanting to lead the federation earlier this summer.

"Yes, of course," Balciunas said.

"He's the only one and the best and no one can even be compared with him.

"I think the biggest advantage is not actually for Lithuania, but for the world.

"He has such a big personality with his name, his history and so on, he might be among the top basketball leaders and would be important for the future.

"Lithuania would be just a part. I'm sure he would be very important for Europe and the world."

FIBA