Jonas Valančiūnas
The Lithuanian center who recorded a double-double in his NBA debut and tied franchise playoff rebound records.
via Wikipedia: Jonas Valančiūnas · see source
Jonas Valančiūnas was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. He signed with the team on 18 July 2012 and made his NBA debut on 31 October against the Indiana Pacers, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds to become the first Raptors rookie since Damon Stoudamire in 1995 to record a double-double in his first game. His tenure with the franchise lasted until he was traded on 7 February 2019.
- Role
- Center
- Affiliation
- Toronto Raptors (2012–2019)
- Draft Status
- 5th Overall Pick, 2011 NBA Draft
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Valančiūnas quickly distinguished himself as a cornerstone of the Raptors' interior presence. In July 2013, he won MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League after averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds in four games, though he was not the first non-American to earn the honor. His dominance on the glass was evident early; on 27 December 2013, he grabbed a then career-high 18 rebounds against the New York Knicks, followed by another 21-rebound performance the very next day against the same team. He continued to make an impact in the playoffs, tying the franchise record with 19 rebounds in Game 1 of the 2016 playoffs against the Indiana Pacers—matching Chris Bosh's 2007 mark. His consistency earned him the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year award eight times during his Raptors tenure (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019).
In Their Own Story
The 2016 playoffs marked a turning point for Valančiūnas. In Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers, he recorded a playoff career-high of 23 points and 15 rebounds in a win that tied the series. Later that season, during a second-round matchup with the Miami Heat, he sprained his right ankle in Game 3 but returned for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland. By the 2018 playoffs, his impact was undeniable; in Game 1 against the Cavaliers, he posted 21 points and 21 rebounds in an overtime loss, marking the best double-double performance by a Raptors player in franchise playoff history. He also became the first Raptor to record a double-double in his playoff debut since Tracy McGrady.
Reader's Guide
Playing for Toronto from 2012 to 2019, Valančiūnas established himself as an efficient scorer and elite rebounder. On 31 January 2015, he scored a then career-high 31 points against the Detroit Pistons. His two-point field goal percentage ranked second in the NBA during the 2014–15 season. He set franchise marks for rebounds in a single quarter (13) on 31 March 2017 and recorded a career-best seven blocks in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on 1 April 2016. His durability was tested when he missed six weeks with a left hand fracture in late 2015, but he returned to help the Raptors secure their first-ever 50-win season. He also led the team to double figures in points for 17 straight games before re-injuring his hand on 14 March 2016.
Did You Know?
- He became the first Raptors rookie since Damon Stoudamire in 1995 to record a double-double in his debut game.
- Valančiūnas won MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League in 2013, though earlier non-American winners include Kyrylo Fesenko (2007).
- He tied the franchise playoff record with 19 rebounds in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers in 2016, matching Chris Bosh's 2007 performance.
- His 21 points and 21 rebounds against Cleveland in the 2018 playoffs is one of several 20-20 playoff games by Raptors players, not an official record.
- He was named Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year eight times while playing for Toronto (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jonas Valančiūnas?
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian-born center who spent seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors after being taken fifth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He signed with the organization in July 2012 and became a defining interior presence for the team until his departure in 2019.
What position did Jonas Valančiūnas play for the Raptors?
He served as the franchise's starting center, anchoring the paint with his size, rebounding, and rim protection. His physicality and length made him the go-to big man on both ends of the floor throughout his Toronto tenure.
What was notable about Jonas Valančiūnas's NBA debut?
On October 31, 2012, he recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers in his first professional game. That double-double made him the first Raptors rookie since Damon Stoudamire in 1995 to achieve the feat in his opening appearance.
When did Jonas Valančiūnas leave the Raptors?
His time in Toronto ended when he was traded on February 7, 2019, after roughly seven seasons with the club. He had first signed his contract with the team on July 18, 2012, before making his debut that October.
Why is Jonas Valančiūnas important to Raptors history?
He set the franchise's all-time playoff rebounding records, cementing his status as one of the most dominant big men in the team's postseason history. His multi-year stretch as Toronto's anchor center made him a central figure in the fanbase's memory of that era.
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