Jonas Valančiūnas
Encyclopedia
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian
professional basketball player, currently playing for BC Lietuvos Rytas
. He is a member of the Lithuanian national basketball team
. Valančiūnas was selected by the Toronto Raptors
with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft
.
in 2008 and played there until December 2009. During the 2008–09 season the team played in the Lithuania
n National Basketball League
(NKL), Lithuania's second strongest league, but moved up to the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) the following season.
In the summer of 2009, Valančiūnas participated in the European Under-18 All-Star Game during EuroBasket 2009
in Poland
. He dominated the game as he scored 18 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, blocked three shots and helped the "Blue Team" beat the "White Team" 77:75. Valančiūnas was later named the MVP of the All-Star game.
Valančiūnas played in the first half of the 2009–10 season with Perlas, but on January 17, 2010, he signed a contract with Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas
. While playing for Lietuvos Rytas, Valančiūnas participated in two LKL All-Star Game
s, the 2010
and 2011 All-Star Games
. During the 2011 All-Star Game Valančiūnas scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping the "Lithuanians" win the game. He was named as the 2011 LKL All-Star Game MVP
. Outside of the entertainment events, Valančiūnas has led Lietuvos Rytas to the LKL Finals
twice, in 2010 and 2011. The team won the 2010 series against Žalgiris
4–3, but lost to the same team the following year 1–4. In 2010, Lietuvos Rytas also won the Lithuanian Basketball Federation
(LKF) Cup.
Valančiūnas was considered as a top prospect at the 2011 NBA Draft
, held on June 23, 2011, and was drafted 5th overall by the Toronto Raptors
, but he will have to wait one year until 2012-2013 NBA season to join the Raptors because of his $2.5 million contract buyout with Lietuvos Rytas. The Raptors only can pay $500,000 for his buyout because of NBA rules, but Valančiūnas has promised that he will pay the rest of the buyout price so he could play in the NBA. However, Lietuvos Rytas didn't permit him to join the NBA until 2012-2013 NBA season.
in the 2008 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
in Italy
. He dominated throughout the tournament, averaging 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 23.5 minutes of action. His team went on to win the gold medal and he was chosen as the MVP.
Two years later, Valančiūnas led Lithuania to another gold medal. Lithuania dominated in the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
held in Lithuania
. Valančiūnas averaged 19.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, and was voted as the MVP.
Valančiūnas was also a member of the Lithuanian Under-19 basketball team, which competed in the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
in Latvia
. He led his team to capture the gold medal, averaging 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 31 minutes of game action. He was later named the tournament MVP. Valančiūnas scored 36 points in the gold medal game against Serbia, which was the highest points scored in a game by any player in the tournament. To this date he is the only player to achieve an MVP and Gold Medal in all of his FIBA U-tournaments.
Valančiūnas was on the main national team roster for EuroBasket 2011
which took place in Lithuania. Jonas Valančiūnas debuted in Lithuania mans national basketball team
on 6 of August
, 2011. In his debut match against Czech he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. After a strong performance in friendly pre-EuroBasket'11 matches Valančiūnas was leading Lithuanian national team with 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Although Valančiūnas failed to be any kind of a leader in the first 4 games of EuroBasket 2011 (among them missing the game against Turkey
), he then became one of the key players averaging 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in just 15.7 minutes of game action and helped Lithuania to claim the 5th spot which guaranteed qualification for the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
professional basketball player, currently playing for BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
. He is a member of the Lithuanian national basketball team
Lithuania national basketball team
The Lithuanian national basketball team is the representative for Lithuania in international men's basketball. Lithuania won bronze medals in three out of five Olympic tournaments it participated in....
. Valančiūnas was selected by the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft
2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
.
Basketball playing career
Valančiūnas started playing professionally for PerlasBC Perlas
BC „Perlas“ was a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania, played in the Lithuanian Basketball League and the Baltic Basketball League. BC „Perlas“ was a daughter club of the „Lietuvos Rytas“. BC „Perlas“ debuted in Lithuania basketball super league LKL in 2009-2010 season and took...
in 2008 and played there until December 2009. During the 2008–09 season the team played in the Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n National Basketball League
National Basketball League (Lithuania)
The National Basketball League was founded in 2005. NKL is the second-tier basketball minor league The National Basketball League was founded in 2005. NKL is the second-tier basketball minor league The National Basketball League was founded in 2005. NKL is the second-tier basketball minor league...
(NKL), Lithuania's second strongest league, but moved up to the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) the following season.
In the summer of 2009, Valančiūnas participated in the European Under-18 All-Star Game during EuroBasket 2009
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. He dominated the game as he scored 18 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, blocked three shots and helped the "Blue Team" beat the "White Team" 77:75. Valančiūnas was later named the MVP of the All-Star game.
Valančiūnas played in the first half of the 2009–10 season with Perlas, but on January 17, 2010, he signed a contract with Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
. While playing for Lietuvos Rytas, Valančiūnas participated in two LKL All-Star Game
LKL All-Star Game
The Lithuanian Basketball League holds its All-Star Game once ever year. The participants are currently chosen in two ways. The first is via fan ballot, with the leading vote recipients at each position starting the game; secondly the reserves are chosen by a vote among the head coaches of each...
s, the 2010
2010 LKL All-Star Game
The 2010 LKL All-Star Game will be held in Cido Arena on March 20, 2010.- Roster :* Replaced by Tadas Klimavičius- Statistics :- Coaches :The coach of Vilkai team is Rimas Kurtinaitis of BC Lietuvos Rytas, who received 5490 votes...
and 2011 All-Star Games
2011 LKL All-Star Game
2011 LKL All-Star Game was held on March 12 2011 in Šiauliai Arena. Time Team, composed of foreign players, played against Lietuviai, which is composed of Lithuanian players.-Rosters:...
. During the 2011 All-Star Game Valančiūnas scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping the "Lithuanians" win the game. He was named as the 2011 LKL All-Star Game MVP
LKL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
The Lithuanian Basketball League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player is an annual Lithuanian Basketball League award given to the player voted best of the annual All-Star Game.-Winners:...
. Outside of the entertainment events, Valančiūnas has led Lietuvos Rytas to the LKL Finals
LKL Finals
The LKL Finals is the championship series of the Lithuanian Basketball League and the conclusion of the season.- LKL Finals :- See also :*List of Lithuanian Basketball League players with most championship rings...
twice, in 2010 and 2011. The team won the 2010 series against Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris
BC Žalgiris is a professional basketball team that is based in Kaunas, Lithuania. It is one of the oldest teams in the Euroleague and plays domestically in the Lietuvos krepšinio lyga , and regionally in the VTB United League...
4–3, but lost to the same team the following year 1–4. In 2010, Lietuvos Rytas also won the Lithuanian Basketball Federation
Lithuanian Basketball Federation
Lithuanian Basketball Federation , also known as LKF, is a national governing body of basketball in Lithuania. It was founded in 1936, but due to Soviet occupation, the federation disappeared from FIBA. It was reinstated in 1991 following the Independence of Lithuania...
(LKF) Cup.
Valančiūnas was considered as a top prospect at the 2011 NBA Draft
2011 NBA Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft was held on June 23, 2011 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The draft started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball...
, held on June 23, 2011, and was drafted 5th overall by the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
, but he will have to wait one year until 2012-2013 NBA season to join the Raptors because of his $2.5 million contract buyout with Lietuvos Rytas. The Raptors only can pay $500,000 for his buyout because of NBA rules, but Valančiūnas has promised that he will pay the rest of the buyout price so he could play in the NBA. However, Lietuvos Rytas didn't permit him to join the NBA until 2012-2013 NBA season.
International career
Valančiūnas made his debut for the Lithuanian national basketball teamLithuania national basketball team
The Lithuanian national basketball team is the representative for Lithuania in international men's basketball. Lithuania won bronze medals in three out of five Olympic tournaments it participated in....
in the 2008 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
2008 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
-5th–8th playoffs:-Championship:-Final standings:-References:*...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. He dominated throughout the tournament, averaging 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 23.5 minutes of action. His team went on to win the gold medal and he was chosen as the MVP.
Two years later, Valančiūnas led Lithuania to another gold medal. Lithuania dominated in the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
U18 European Championship Men 2010 Division A
-Group B:---------Group C:---------Group D:---------Qualifying Round:The twelve teams remaining were allocated in two groups of six teams each. The four top teams advanced to the quarterfinals...
held in Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. Valančiūnas averaged 19.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, and was voted as the MVP.
Valančiūnas was also a member of the Lithuanian Under-19 basketball team, which competed in the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
The 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championship was hosted by Latvia from June 30 to July 10, 2011. The draw for the Championship took place on February 17, 2011 in Riga. Teams played a round robin schedule, with the top three teams advancing to the knockout stage. Lithuania became the champion...
in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. He led his team to capture the gold medal, averaging 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 31 minutes of game action. He was later named the tournament MVP. Valančiūnas scored 36 points in the gold medal game against Serbia, which was the highest points scored in a game by any player in the tournament. To this date he is the only player to achieve an MVP and Gold Medal in all of his FIBA U-tournaments.
Valančiūnas was on the main national team roster for EuroBasket 2011
Eurobasket 2011
EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to...
which took place in Lithuania. Jonas Valančiūnas debuted in Lithuania mans national basketball team
Lithuania national basketball team
The Lithuanian national basketball team is the representative for Lithuania in international men's basketball. Lithuania won bronze medals in three out of five Olympic tournaments it participated in....
on 6 of August
August
August is the eighth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days.This month was originally named Sextilis in Latin, because it was the sixth month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus in 753 BC, when March was the first...
, 2011. In his debut match against Czech he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. After a strong performance in friendly pre-EuroBasket'11 matches Valančiūnas was leading Lithuanian national team with 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Although Valančiūnas failed to be any kind of a leader in the first 4 games of EuroBasket 2011 (among them missing the game against Turkey
Turkey national basketball team
The Turkish national basketball team is the basketball section that represents Turkey in international competitions. The team is nicknamed "12 Dev Adam" ....
), he then became one of the key players averaging 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in just 15.7 minutes of game action and helped Lithuania to claim the 5th spot which guaranteed qualification for the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
The 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament is a men's basketball tournament that will consist of 12 national teams, where the top three teams earn a place in the 2012 Olympics basketball tournament. It will be held from 2 July to 8 July 2012 in a yet to be determined venue. Angola,...
.