History of Jonas Valančiūnas in Timeline
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player currently playing for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2011, he has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Washington Wizards. He is a prominent figure in Lithuanian basketball and has had a successful NBA career thus far.
May 1992: Jonas Valančiūnas Born
In May 1992, Jonas Valančiūnas was born. He is a Lithuanian professional basketball player.
2008: Wins Gold and MVP at FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship
In 2008, Jonas Valančiūnas debuted for Lithuania's junior national team at the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in Italy. He averaged 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, leading his team to win gold and earning the MVP award.
2008: Started Playing Professionally
In 2008, Valančiūnas started playing professionally for Perlas.
January 2009: Signed with Lietuvos Rytas
In January 2009, Valančiūnas signed a long-term contract with Lietuvos Rytas, but remained with Perlas, Lietuvos Rytas' daughter club, for the first half of the 2009–10 season.
2009: Previous Record
On 29 February 2020, Jonas Valančiūnas, improved the Grizzlies club record (45 rebounds) for the most rebounds in two consecutive games (previously the record belonged to Zach Randolph who had 42 rebounds in 2009).
January 2010: Moved to Lietuvos Rytas
In January 2010, Valančiūnas finally moved to Lietuvos Rytas.
2010: Leads Lithuania to Gold in FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
In 2010, Jonas Valančiūnas led Lithuania to win gold at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship held in Lithuania. Valančiūnas averaged 19.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, and was voted as the MVP.
2010: LKL All-Star Game Participation
In 2010, Valančiūnas participated in the LKL All-Star Game.
January 2011: Double-Double Streak
On 12 April 2021, Valančiūnas recorded his franchise-record, 15th consecutive double-double, surpassing a mark set by Zach Randolph in January 2011.
August 2011: Debuts with Lithuania's Senior National Team
On August 6, 2011, Jonas Valančiūnas debuted with Lithuania's senior men's national basketball team. In his debut match against Czech Republic, he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
December 2011: Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year
In December 2011, Valančiūnas was named Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year.
2011: Leads Lithuania to Gold in FIBA Under-19 World Cup
In 2011, Jonas Valančiūnas led Lithuania to capture the gold medal in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia. He averaged 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks and was named the tournament MVP.
2011: LKL Finals Appearance
In 2011, Valančiūnas played in the LKL Finals with Lietuvos Rytas, losing to Žalgiris 1–4.
2011: LKL All-Star Game MVP
In 2011, Valančiūnas was named the LKL All-Star Game MVP.
February 2012: FIBA European Young Player of the Year
In February 2012, Valančiūnas was named the FIBA European Young Player of the Year.
July 2012: Signed with the Raptors
On 18 July 2012, Valančiūnas signed with the Toronto Raptors.
October 2012: NBA Debut
On 31 October 2012, Valančiūnas made his NBA debut against the Indiana Pacers, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.
December 2012: Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year
In December 2012, Valančiūnas was named Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year.
2012: Qualifies for 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
After helping Lithuania claim fifth spot at EuroBasket 2011, Valančiūnas helped the team qualify for the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
2012: LKL All-Star Game MVP Again
During the 2012 LKL All-Star Game, Valančiūnas led his team to victory and won the MVP award once again.
2012: Appears in basketball documentaries
In 2012, Jonas Valančiūnas appeared in two basketball documentaries, The Other Dream Team and We are... for the Lithuania!.
2012: VTB United League MVP, EuroCup Rising Star and All-EuroCup Squad
In 2012, Valančiūnas became February's MVP in the VTB United League, won the EuroCup Rising Star award, and was named in the All-EuroCup squad.
2012: LKL Finals Appearance
In 2012, Valančiūnas played in the LKL Finals with Lietuvos Rytas, losing to Žalgiris 0–3.
February 2013: FIBA European Young Player of the Year
In February 2013, Valančiūnas was named the FIBA European Young Player of the Year for the second time.
April 2013: Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month
On 5 April 2013, Valančiūnas was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in March.
July 2013: Las Vegas Summer League MVP
On 22 July 2013, Valančiūnas was named MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds in four games, making him the first non-American to win the award.
December 2013: Career-High Rebounds
On 27 December 2013, Valančiūnas recorded a then career-high 18 rebounds in a win against the New York Knicks.
2013: Wins silver medal at EuroBasket 2013
In 2013, Jonas Valančiūnas won a silver medal at the EuroBasket 2013 tournament.
2013: EuroBasket Silver Medal
In 2013, Valančiūnas won a EuroBasket silver medal as a member of the Lithuania men's national basketball team.
2013: Surpassed Rebound Record
On March 31, 2017, Valančiūnas established a career high during the game, surpassing the 714 rebounds he had in the 2013–14 season.
April 2014: Career-High Scoring and Rebounds
In April 2014, Valančiūnas scored a then career-high 26 points on April 9th and recorded a then career-high 21 rebounds on April 11th.
December 2014: Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year
On 17 December 2014, Valančiūnas was named Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year.
2014: Playoff Record
In Game 1 of the Raptors' first round playoff series in 2014, Valančiūnas set a franchise playoff record with 19 rebounds.
2014: Leads Lithuania to fourth place in 2014 FIBA World Cup
In the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Jonas Valančiūnas led the Lithuanian squad, which finished in fourth place.
2014: Top Back-to-the-Basket Percentage
Valančiūnas finished the 2014–15 season with a back-to-the-basket shot percentage of 51.3%, good for second in the NBA.
January 2015: Career-High Points
On 31 January 2015, Valančiūnas scored a then career-high 31 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
August 2015: Contract Extension with Raptors
On 20 August 2015, Valančiūnas signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Raptors.
November 2015: Fractured Hand
In November 2015, Valančiūnas was ruled out for six weeks with a fracture in his left hand.
2015: EuroBasket Silver Medal and All-Tournament Honours
In 2015, Valančiūnas won a EuroBasket silver medal and earned All-Tournament honours.
2015: Named to All-Tournament Team at EuroBasket 2015
Jonas Valančiūnas was one of the tournament's best players at EuroBasket 2015, and was chosen to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 16 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Lithuanian team won their second consecutive silver medal at the competition.
March 2016: Double-Double Streak and Re-Injury
In March 2016, Valančiūnas recorded his career-high 16th straight game scoring in double figures on March 10th, but re-injured his left hand on March 14th, ending his streak at 17 games.
March 2016: Helped Raptors to 50-Win Season
On 30 March 2016, Valančiūnas helped the Raptors record a 50-win season for the first time in franchise history.
October 2016: Career-High Points
On 26 October 2016, Valančiūnas recorded a then career-high 32 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
2016: Plays village thief in Lithuanian black comedy
In 2016, Jonas Valančiūnas played a village thief in the Lithuanian black comedy Received Call 3, in which he stole a plasma TV and a tiny police car.
January 2017: Career-High Rebounds
On 10 January 2017, Valančiūnas grabbed a then career-high 23 rebounds in a win over the Boston Celtics.
March 2017: Team History in Rebounds
On 31 March 2017, Valančiūnas made team history by recording 13 of his 17 rebounds in the third quarter, setting a franchise mark for most in a single period. He also established a career high for rebounds during the game.
May 2017: Establishes the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation
In May 2017, Jonas Valančiūnas established his own charity foundation, the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation. It is a non-profit organization with an aim to help adolescents with behavioral challenges.
2017: Competes in EuroBasket 2017
In 2017, Jonas Valančiūnas competed for the Lithuanian national basketball team at the EuroBasket 2017 tournament, where the team finished 9th overall. Valančiūnas averaged 15.8 points and 12 rebounds.
January 2018: Season-High Rebounds and Points
In January 2018, Valančiūnas had 15 points and a season-high 18 rebounds on January 11th and a season-high 28 points on January 26th.
August 2018: Foundation opens "Išvien" day home
On August 2018, Jonas Valančiūnas' foundation opened adolescent's day home “Išvien” (United).
November 2018: Season Highs in Points and Rebounds
On 21 November 2018, Valančiūnas had season highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
February 2019: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
On 7 February 2019, Valančiūnas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
July 2019: Signed with Grizzlies
On 11 July 2019, Valančiūnas signed a three-year contract with the Grizzlies.
2019: Represents Lithuania at 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Jonas Valančiūnas represented the national team at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup where Lithuania finished 9th overall. Valančiūnas led his team in total points and rebounds, averaging 14.0 points and 8.8 rebounds.
February 2020: Improved Career Record Rebounds
On 28 February 2020, Valančiūnas improved his career record by grabbing 25 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings.
August 2020: First Career Triple-Double
On 13 August 2020, Valančiūnas achieved his career's first triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers.
March 2021: Double-Double and Franchise First
On 10 March 2021, Valančiūnas logged a double-double with 29 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the first player in franchise history to post at least 25 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks in a game.
August 2021: Traded to New Orleans Pelicans
On 7 August 2021, Valančiūnas was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
2022: Draft Pick
On 7 August 2021, Valančiūnas was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans for a 2022 protected first-round pick.
2023: Named to All-FIBA World Cup Second Team
In 2023, Jonas Valančiūnas represented Lithuania at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup where Lithuania finished 6th overall. In recognition of his individual play, Valančiūnas was named to the All-FIBA World Cup Second Team.
July 2024: Signs with Washington Wizards
In July 2024, Jonas Valančiūnas signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards through a sign-and-trade agreement. New Orleans received a 2027 protected second-round pick in return.
2024: Future Draft Pick
On 7 February 2019, Valančiūnas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with a 2024 second-round draft pick.
February 2025: Traded to Sacramento Kings
In February 2025, Jonas Valančiūnas was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for two second-round draft picks (2028, 2029) and forward Sidy Cissoko.
