Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas is a native of Utena, Lithuania and joined the Toronto Raptors in 2011 as a first-round pick out of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. At seven feet, 255 pounds, Valanciunas is a powerful force down low and combines strength with athleticism to be a dynamic asset on both ends of the floor. He spent his first seven seasons with the Raptors, averaging double-figures in scoring six times. Valancuinas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019 and then to the New Orleans Pelicans two years later. As an international player, he has competed on the Lithuanian National Team since the age of 15. He earned his first gold medal at the 2007 European Youth Olympic Festival and then won gold medals at the 2008 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, and FIBA World Under-19 Championship. In 2013 he was a part of the Lithuanian National Team that captured a silver medal at the FIBA EuroBasket.