Lithuanian · Utena, Lithuania · Born 6 May 1992Veteran Lithuanian center whose physical toughness, rebounding and reliable scoring have made him one of the NBA's most durable big men.
Jonas Valančiūnas was born on 6 May 1992 in Utena, Lithuania, and was raised largely by his mother, Danutė. He began his professional career with Perlas Vilnius in 2008 at just 16, the same year he led Lithuania to gold at the European Under-16 Championship, winning tournament MVP honours. Valančiūnas went on to win further MVP awards at the European Under-18 Championship and the 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he scored 36 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the final against Serbia, cementing his status as one of European basketball's most promising young centres before the Toronto Raptors selected him fifth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Valančiūnas developed into a reliable interior scorer and rebounder across seven seasons in Toronto, later playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, and Denver Nuggets. He has remained a fixture of Lithuania's senior national team since his 2011 debut, helping the country win silver medals at EuroBasket in both 2013 and 2015 and representing Lithuania at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Valančiūnas has never missed a single national team tournament since first representing Lithuania's junior side in 2008, a streak of loyalty that has made him widely regarded as the face of Lithuanian basketball, inspiring the next generation of players from the basketball-mad Baltic nation to follow his path to the NBA.
Dominant center known for rebounding and interior scoring
He has been a reliable NBA starter for over 12 seasons, one of the more durable and consistent big men of his era, representing Lithuania with pride throughout his career.
Did You Know?How They Played
Traditional center with strong post moves and rebounding
Lasting Impact
First Lithuanian to establish himself as NBA starter
Career Honours
- Lithuanian national team leader
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | 2012–2021 | 470 | #17 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2021–2024 | 162 | — |
| Lietuvos rytas | 2010–2012 | 52 | — |
| Washington Wizards | 2024–2024 | — | — |
 Lithuania | — | 75 | — |
Lithuanian Athletes