Jonas Valanciunasis a Lithuanian professional basketball player who currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. He has been the face of Lithuanian basketball for many years now, and has represented his country since he was 19 years old. He has been on the silver medal-winning teams for Lithuania in the 2013 and 2015 EuroBasket. In the 2015 edition, he was named on the All-Tournament team.
Valanciunas was picked fifth overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors and was considered by many as a top prospect. In his rookie season, he averaged 7.3 rebounds per game, and that number only increased every season. Valanciunas was a very important piece in the Raptors' multiple playoff runs in the 2010s. In 2016, Valanciunas re-signed with the Raptors on a 4-year $64 million deal, one of the biggest contracts at the time. However in 2019, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies where he played for two seasons and averaged 16.4 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
Valanciunas then moved to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he is currently playing. In the 2022/23 season, he played 79 games and averaged 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.7 blocks per game.
Jonas Valanciunas position
Jonas Valančiūnas plays at the center position. He is regarded as one of the best big men in the league and is known for his elite rebounding and scoring skills.
Standing at 6 '11, Valanciunas strengths not only include finishing in the paint, but he can also shoot from outside. He shot 34.9% from 3-point range in the 2022/23 season. Additionally, his 7 ‘6 wingspan makes it very difficult for most defenders and big men to block his shots.
Jonas Valanciunas number
The 6 ‘11’’ center wears the #17 jersey for the New Orleans Pelicans. The upcoming 2023-24 season will be the 13th NBA season. In the 2021 offseason, the New Orleans Pelicans rewarded him with a two year deal worth up to $30 million. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
FAQs
A. The Lithuanian player is listed at 6 feet 11 inches or 2.11 meters and weighs around 265 lb or 120 kg.
A. Egle Valanciuniene is the wife of Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas. The couple got married in 2013.
A. In 79 games last season, Valanciunas averaged an impressive 10.2 rebounds per game.
A. Jonas Valanciunas has played for three teams till date — Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans.
A. The Lithuanian center was drafted in the 2011 NBA draft. He was picked fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors.
