Jonas Valanciunas was selected by Toronto Raptors as the 5th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Congratulations to Jonas and the Raptors!
Jonas Valanciunas: Poster dunk against BC Zalgiris Kaunas
Jonas Valanciunas has had a productive 2010-11 season with BC Lietuvos Rytas. After winning the Lithuanian Basketball League last season, his team lost in the LKL Finals to BC Zalgiris Kaunas this year. Compared to the previous season, Valanciunas has enjoyed increased playing time (21 minutes per game) and finished the year with averages of 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and league-best 1.8 blocks per game. Jonas has also made his debut in the elite European competition – the EuroLeague, where he helped his team reach the Top 16 round while averaging 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 15 minutes per game, and shooting an incredible 71% from the floor and 89% from the free-throw line.
At the conclusion of the LKL season, Jonas Valanciunas made a decision to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft, where he is projected to be a Top 5 pick by various sources. NBA.com Consensus 2011 Mock Draft has Valanciunas going at #5.
Now Valanciunas is practicing with the Lithuanian National U-19 basketball team, considered to be one of the contenders to win the World U-19 Basketball Championship taking place in Latvia this summer. The championship starts June 30, 2011, and Jonas will be one of the shining young stars of the tournament.
Translated from an article in Lithuanian newspaper “Lietuvos rytas” (published Aug 7, 2010)
Valanciunas receives his Euro U18 MVP trophy
Lithuanian basketball has been looking for an heir to Arvydas Sabonis for almost two decades. Jonas Valanciunas, who has led Lithuanian basketball team to the European U18 Championship title, has emerged as a new candidate to take the Sabas’ throne.
J.Valanciunas is experiencing a new-found fame both at home and abroad after the recent triumph at the European juniors. He received his MVP trophy from the hands of the former President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, and took his champions’ medal from Sabonis himself. The 18-year-old basketball prodigy from a small Lithuanian town of Utena didn’t reveal to anyone yet what his basketball idol told him on the winners’ podium.
“I haven’t told anyone, and I’m not going to. You should try calling Sabonis, maybe he’d tell you”, smiles J.Valanciunas. (more…)
Jonas Valanciunas (#15) won the 2010 European Championships title with Lithuania
Jonas Valanciunas led Lithuanian national U18 team to the 2010 European Championship title, averaging 19.4 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in the tournament. Valanciunas dominated the Final game, scoring 31 points and hauling 18 rebounds, while Lithuania demolished Russia 90-61.
Young Lithuanian center was named the MVP of the 2010 European U18 Championships, adding to his already impressive trophy collection. Valanciunas finished the tournament ranked #2 in points per game, #1 in rebounding, #2 in blocked shots, #1 in field goal percentage (67.8%), and #1 in both free throws attempted (7.0 per game), and made (5.4 per game).
Jonas Valanciunas (on the right) with the Lithuanian League trophy
Jonas Valanciunas won the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) title with his team BC Lietuvos Rytas. Young Lithuanian center who just turned 18 during the Final series played in 3 of 7 games, and averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds for his team. Valanciunas averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 for Lietuvos Rytas during the LKL regular season, and 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in the LKL playoffs.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius in the 4th game of the Lithuanian Basketball League Finals. It was Valanciunas’ first appearance in the LKL Finals series. Lietuvos Rytas lost this game to Zalgiris Kaunas 70-83. The best-of-seven series are now tied at 2 wins apiece.
Jonas Valanciunas dunk in European U18 All-Star Game
Welcome to this new blog dedicated to a Lithuanian basketball prospect Jonas Valanciunas. We are going to try to keep you updated with the latest news about Jonas Valanciunas, post his stats, photos, and videos.
About Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas (born in 1992) is a 6-11 (210 cm) center currently playing for BC Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuanian Basketball League.
Valanciunas is one of the most dominant players of his generation in Europe; his numerous achievements so far include:
- MVP of the U16 European Basketball Championship 2008 after leading Lithuania to the championship title. Valanciunas averaged 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in 8 games, while posting a double-double 5 times. He also finished the tournament as the leading shot blocker and second-best rebounder as was included on the All-Tournament Team.
- Led BC Lietuvos Rytas to the Finals of the EuroLeague Nike International Junior Tournament 2009, and was voted to the All-Tournament Team, posting 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the final game.
- Voted to the All-Tournament Team in the U18 European Basketball Championships 2009, where Lithuania finished 4th. Valanciunas averaged 19.3 points (2nd), 10.5 rebounds (4th), and 2.6 blocks (2nd) in this tournament.
- Named MVP of the European U18 All-Star Game played during EuroBasket 2009, where he posted 18 points and 19 rebounds.
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