Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player known for his skills in the NBA.
Basketball Player
May 6, 1992
Taurus
32
Utena, Lithuania
Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas, a Lithuanian professional basketball player, currently serves as a center for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. He was chosen by the Toronto Raptors as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. ValanÄiÅ«nas is renowned for his rebounding, scoring, and defensive abilities. He has represented Lithuania in international competitions such as the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics. Throughout his career, ValanÄiÅ«nas has earned numerous accolades, including contributing to the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Finals appearance in 2019 and winning the Lithuanian Basketball League championship with Lietuvos Rytas in 2010 and 2011. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2013, the FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year in 2011, and the All-EuroLeague Second Team in 2013. In 2023, ValanÄiÅ«nas completed his second season with the New Orleans Pelicans, starting in all 79 games. Although his scoring slightly decreased compared to the previous season, he continued to be a crucial player for the team.