Jonas Valančiūnas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jonas Valančiūnas

Valančiūnas with Lithuania in 2022
No. 17 – Denver Nuggets
Center
Personal information
Born	(1992-05-06) 6 May 1992 (age 33) Utena, Lithuania
Listed height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5th overall
Selected by the Toronto Raptors
Pro career	2008–present
League	NBA
Career history
2008–2010	Perlas Vilnius
2010–2012	Lietuvos rytas Vilnius
2012–2019	Toronto Raptors
2019–2021	Memphis Grizzlies
2021–2024	New Orleans Pelicans
2024–2025	Washington Wizards
2025	Sacramento Kings
2025–present	Denver Nuggets
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2013) 2× FIBA Young Player of the Year (2011, 2012) All-EuroCup First Team (2012) EuroCup Rising Star (2012) LKL champion (2010) 2× LKL Most Improved Player (2011, 2012) LKL MVP (2012) LKL Domestic Player of the Year (2012) 2× LKL blocks leader (2011, 2012) 2× All-LKL Team (2011, 2012) 3x All-LKL Defensive Team (2010–2012) LKF Cup winner (2010) 3× LKL All-Star (2010–2012) 2× LKL All-Star Game MVP (2011, 2012) All-VTB United League First Team (2012) VTB United League rebounding leader (2012) VTB United League blocks leader (2012) 5× Lithuanian Player of the Year (2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2021) FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP (2011)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Lithuania EuroBasket Silver 2013 Slovenia Silver 2015 France World U-19 Cup Gold 2011 Latvia Team European U-18 Championship Gold 2010 Lithuania Team European U-16 Championship Gold 2008 Italy Team Bronze 2007 Greece Team European Youth Olympic Festival Gold 2007 Serbia

Jonas Valančiūnas is a professional basketball player from Lithuania. He plays as a center for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was chosen as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors. Jonas has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings.

Jonas has been a key player for the Lithuania men's national basketball team since he was 19. He helped Lithuania win two silver medals at the EuroBasket tournaments in EuroBasket 2013 and EuroBasket 2015. He was even named to the All-Tournament Team in 2015. Jonas also appeared in a documentary called The Other Dream Team.

Jonas's Basketball Journey

Starting in Lithuania (2008–2012)

Jonas Valančiūnas began his professional basketball career in 2008 with a team called Perlas in Lithuania. They played in the second-strongest league, but soon moved up to the top league, the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). In 2009, Jonas signed a long-term deal with a bigger Lithuanian team, Lietuvos Rytas. He stayed with Perlas for a while because it was like a "daughter club" to Lietuvos Rytas.

In January 2010, Jonas officially joined Lietuvos Rytas. A month later, his new team won the LKF Cup. Jonas played in the LKL Finals three times with Lietuvos Rytas. They won in 2010 but lost in 2011 and 2012.

Jonas was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the VTB United League in February 2012. He also won the EuroCup Rising Star award and was part of the All-EuroCup team. He was a strong player, scoring about 10.8 points and grabbing 7.6 rebounds per game.

Jonas played in three LKL All-Star Games from 2010 to 2012. He was named the MVP of the All-Star Game twice, in 2011 and 2012. He showed off his skills by scoring many points and getting lots of rebounds.

He was also named Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year multiple times. Plus, he won the FIBA European Young Player of the Year award twice.

Joining the NBA: Toronto Raptors (2012–2019)

Valančiūnas blocks future teammate Greg Monroe

Jonas was a top player in the 2011 NBA draft. The Toronto Raptors picked him fifth overall. He officially joined the Raptors in July 2012. His first NBA game was on October 31, 2012, against the Indiana Pacers. He scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, which is called a double-double. He was the first Raptors rookie since 1995 to do this in his first game!

In March 2013, Jonas was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. He was the best among rookies in rebounds, blocks, and shooting percentage.

Becoming a Key Player

In July 2013, Jonas was named MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League. He was the first non-American player to win this award. He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds in four games.

On December 27, 2013, Jonas set a personal best with 18 rebounds in a game. In April 2014, he scored a career-high 26 points. Two days later, he grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds. The Raptors made it to the playoffs that year. In his first playoff game, Jonas set a new Raptors record with 18 rebounds.

Valančiūnas dunks into the basket

In January 2015, Jonas scored a career-high 31 points against the Detroit Pistons. He was also one of the best players in the NBA for shooting close to the basket.

New Contract and Injuries

In August 2015, Jonas signed a new four-year contract with the Raptors. Before the 2015–16 season, ESPN ranked him as the 57th best player in the league, a big jump from before! In November 2015, he had to miss six weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand. He returned in December.

In March 2016, Jonas had a great streak of 16 games where he scored double figures. He also had 16 double-doubles that season. The Raptors had their best season ever, winning 50 games for the first time.

In the 2016 playoffs, Jonas set another Raptors playoff record with 19 rebounds in a game. He also scored a playoff career-high 23 points in another game. Unfortunately, he sprained his right ankle during the playoffs and missed several games. The Raptors made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, their deepest playoff run ever, but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Continued Success in Toronto

In October 2016, Jonas scored a career-high 32 points in the Raptors' first game of the season. In January 2017, he grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds. He continued to be a strong rebounder, setting a team record for most rebounds in a single quarter in March 2017.

In January 2018, Jonas had 15 points and 18 rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also scored a season-high 28 points later that month. In the 2018 playoffs, he set a new Raptors record for most playoff double-doubles. He had an amazing game with 21 points and 21 rebounds in a playoff game against the Cavaliers.

In November 2018, Jonas had 24 points and 13 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks. In December, he scored 18 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he dislocated his left thumb and had to miss about a month of games.

Moving to Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2021)

In February 2019, Jonas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He made his debut for the Grizzlies in February, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. In March, he scored a career-high 33 points and had 15 rebounds. Two days later, he set a new career-high with 24 rebounds! He even set a Grizzlies record for defensive rebounds in a game. He continued his amazing performance with 34 points and 20 rebounds in another game.

In July 2019, Jonas signed a new contract with the Grizzlies. In February 2020, he grabbed 25 rebounds in a game. He also set a Grizzlies club record for the most rebounds in two games in a row. In August 2020, Jonas achieved his first triple-double (scoring double digits in points, rebounds, and assists) with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists. This helped his team win a crucial game.

In March 2021, Jonas had 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a game. He was the first Grizzlies player ever to achieve at least 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in one game. In April, he tied his career-high with 34 points and had 22 rebounds. He also set a franchise record with 15 double-doubles in a row, passing a record set by Zach Randolph.

New Orleans Pelicans (2021–2024)

In August 2021, Jonas was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. In October, he signed a new two-year contract with the Pelicans. In November, Jonas had a career-high 39 points, including seven three-pointers, and 15 rebounds in a win against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Washington Wizards (2024–2025)

In July 2024, Jonas joined the Washington Wizards as part of a trade deal.

Sacramento Kings (2025)

In February 2025, Jonas was traded to the Sacramento Kings.

Denver Nuggets (2025–present)

In July 2025, Jonas was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he plays now.

Playing for His Country: Lithuania National Team

Valančiūnas with Lithuania U-19 team

Jonas first played for Lithuania's junior national team in 2008 at the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship. He was amazing in that tournament, averaging 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. His team won the gold medal, and he was named the MVP!

In 2009, Jonas played in the European Under-18 All-Star Game. He scored 18 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and blocked three shots, earning him another MVP award.

A year later, Jonas led Lithuania to another gold medal at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He averaged 19.4 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks, and was again voted the MVP.

Valančiūnas versus Kosta Koufos

Jonas also played for the Lithuanian Under-19 team in the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. He led his team to win the gold medal, averaging 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks. He was named the tournament MVP. In the gold medal game, he scored 36 points, the most by any player in that tournament. Jonas is the only player to win an MVP award and a gold medal in all of his FIBA youth tournaments!

Jonas joined the senior Lithuanian national basketball team for EuroBasket 2011. In his first game, he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He became one of the team's key players, helping Lithuania finish fifth and qualify for the 2012 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He is the youngest Lithuanian ever to play for the main national team in a major tournament.

In 2013, Jonas won a silver medal at the EuroBasket 2013 tournament. In the 2014 FIBA World Cup, he led the Lithuanian team to a fourth-place finish. He was also one of the best players at EuroBasket 2015, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team as Lithuania won their second silver medal in a row.

Valančiūnas with Lithuania men's national basketball team in 2023

In 2017, Jonas played for Lithuania at the EuroBasket 2017 tournament. He led the tournament in double-doubles and rebounds per game. In 2019, he represented Lithuania at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, leading his team in points and rebounds.

In 2023, Jonas played for Lithuania at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He helped his team achieve a great victory against the USA. He became only the second player since 1994 to have multiple double-doubles in three World Cup tournaments. For his excellent play, Jonas was named to the All-FIBA World Cup Second Team.

Jonas's Career Stats

Here are some of Jonas Valančiūnas's statistics from his time in the NBA and EuroLeague.

NBA Regular Season Stats

NBA Playoff Stats

EuroLeague Stats

More About Jonas

Family Life

Jonas Valančiūnas is married to Eglė Ačaitė. They have two sons together.

Helping Others

Jonas is involved in charity work. He is the face of the "Itty Bitty Ballers" campaign, which sells small basketball figurines. The money from these sales goes to the MLSE Foundation charity.

In May 2017, Jonas started his own charity called the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation. This organization helps teenagers who are facing challenges with their behavior. In August 2018, his foundation opened a day home called “Išvien” (which means "United") to support these young people.

Acting Fun

Jonas has even appeared in a few movies! In 2012, he was in two basketball documentaries: The Other Dream Team and We are... for the Lithuania!. In 2016, he had a funny role as a village thief in a Lithuanian comedy called Received Call 3.

See also

In Spanish: Jonas Valančiūnas para niños