Jonas Valanciunas – Latest news, stats, photos, videos

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. continue reading…

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.