History of Jonas Valančiūnas in Timeline
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player currently playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2011, he has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings during his NBA career. He is a prominent figure in Lithuanian basketball and a notable presence in the NBA.
May 1992: Jonas Valančiūnas' birth
Jonas Valančiūnas was born in May 1992.
1995: First Raptors rookie since Damon Stoudamire to record a double-double
In October 2012, Valančiūnas became the first Raptors rookie since Damon Stoudamire in 1995 to record a double-double in his first game.
2008: FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship MVP and Gold Medal
In 2008, Jonas Valančiūnas participated in the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in Italy, where he led his team to win the gold medal and was chosen as the MVP after averaging 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
2008: Professional Debut with Perlas
In 2008, Valančiūnas began his professional career with Perlas in the Lithuanian National Basketball League (NKL).
January 2009: Signs with Lietuvos Rytas
In January 2009, Valančiūnas signed a long-term contract with Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas.
2009: Grizzlies club record of most rebounds in two consecutive games
On February 29, 2020, Valančiūnas improved the Grizzlies club record (45 rebounds) for the most rebounds in two consecutive games previously held by Zach Randolph who had 42 rebounds in 2009.
January 2010: Moved to Lietuvos Rytas
On January 17, 2010, Valančiūnas moved to Lietuvos Rytas.
2010: FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship MVP and Gold Medal
In 2010, Jonas Valančiūnas led Lithuania to another gold medal in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship held in Lithuania, averaging 19.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, and was voted as the MVP.
2010: LKL All-Star Game
In 2010, Valančiūnas participated in his first LKL All-Star Game.
August 2011: Debut with Lithuania's senior men's national basketball 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: Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year
In December 2011, Valančiūnas was named the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for the first time.
2011: LKL All-Star Game MVP
During the 2011 LKL All-Star Game, Valančiūnas scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and was named the MVP.
2011: FIBA Under-19 World Cup Gold Medal and MVP
In 2011, Jonas Valančiūnas led the Lithuanian Under-19 basketball team to capture the gold medal in the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia, averaging 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, and was later named the tournament MVP.
2011: LKL Finals Appearance
In 2011, Valančiūnas played in the LKL Finals for the second time with Lietuvos Rytas, losing to Žalgiris 1–4.
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: Signs with the Raptors
On July 18, 2012, Valančiūnas signed with the Toronto Raptors.
December 2012: Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year
In December 2012, Valančiūnas was selected as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a second time.
2012: Appearance in Basketball Documentaries
In 2012, Jonas Valančiūnas appeared in two basketball documentaries: The Other Dream Team and We are... for the Lithuania!.
2012: LKL Finals Appearance
In 2012, Valančiūnas played in the LKL Finals for the third time with Lietuvos Rytas, losing to Žalgiris 0-3.
2012: MVP in VTB United League, EuroCup Rising Star award
In 2012, Valančiūnas was named February's MVP in the VTB United League and won the EuroCup Rising Star award two months later. He was also named in the All-EuroCup squad, averaging 10.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 1.6 bpg.
2012: LKL All-Star Game MVP
In 2012, during the LKL All-Star Game, Valančiūnas led his team to victory with 25 points and 13 rebounds, winning the MVP award once again.
February 2013: FIBA European Young Player of the Year
In February 2013, Valančiūnas was named the FIBA European Young Player of the Year for a second time.
April 2013: Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month
In April 2013, Valančiūnas was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in March.
July 2013: MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League
On July 22, 2013, Valančiūnas was named MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League.
December 2013: Career-high 18 rebounds
On December 27, 2013, Valančiūnas recorded a then career-high 18 rebounds in a 95–83 win over the New York Knicks.
2013: 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: Surpasses rebound total in a season
On March 31, 2017, Valančiūnas also established a career high, surpassing the 714 rebounds he had in the 2013–14 season.
April 2014: Career-high 26 points
On April 9, 2014, Valančiūnas scored a then career-high 26 points in a 125–114 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Two days later, he recorded a then career-high 21 rebounds in a loss to the New York Knicks.
December 2014: Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year
On December 17, 2014, Valančiūnas was selected as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a third time.
2014: Second in Field Goal Percentage
During the 2014-15 season, Valančiūnas finished with a back-to-the-basket shot percentage of 51.3%, good for second in the NBA and was ranked second in field goal percentage category.
2014: FIBA World Cup Fourth Place Finish
In 2014, Jonas Valančiūnas led the Lithuanian squad at the FIBA World Cup, which finished in fourth place.
January 2015: Career-high 31 points
On January 31, 2015, Valančiūnas scored a then career-high 31 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
August 2015: Signs contract extension with Raptors
On August 20, 2015, Valančiūnas signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Toronto Raptors.
November 2015: Ruled out with a hand fracture
In November 2015, Valančiūnas was ruled out for six weeks due to a fracture in his left hand.
2015: EuroBasket All-Tournament Team and Silver Medal
In 2015, Jonas Valančiūnas was chosen to the EuroBasket All-Tournament Team, along with his Lithuanian teammate, Jonas Mačiulis, after averaging 16 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The Lithuanian team won their second consecutive silver medal at the competition.
2015: EuroBasket silver medal and All-Tournament honours
In 2015, Valančiūnas secured another EuroBasket silver medal and earned All-Tournament honors.
March 2016: Double-double streak
In March 2016, Valančiūnas recorded his 16th straight game scoring in double figures and his 16th double-double of the season. His double figure record ended at 17 games after re-injuring his left hand on March 14.
March 2016: Helps Raptors record a 50-win season
On March 30, 2016, Valančiūnas helped the Raptors record a 50-win season for the first time in franchise history. On April 1, he recorded 11 points, 14 rebounds and a career-best seven blocks in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
October 2016: Career-high 32 points
On October 26, 2016, in the Raptors' season opener, Valančiūnas recorded a then career-high 32 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
2016: Acting Role 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 23 rebounds
On January 10, 2017, Valančiūnas grabbed a then career-high 23 rebounds to go with 18 points in a win over the Boston Celtics.
March 2017: Franchise record for most rebounds in a single period
On March 31, 2017, Valančiūnas made team history in the third quarter of the Raptors' win over the Indiana Pacers. He had 13 of his 17 rebounds during the quarter, setting a franchise mark for most in a single period.
May 2017: Establishment of the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation
In May 2017, Jonas Valančiūnas established his own charity foundation, the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation, which is a non-profit organization with an aim to help adolescents with behavioral challenges.
2017: EuroBasket 2017 Tournament
In 2017, Jonas Valančiūnas competed for the Lithuanian national basketball team at the EuroBasket 2017 tournament, where the team finished 9th overall, and Valančiūnas averaged 15.8 points and 12 rebounds.
January 2018: Selected Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year
On January 15, 2018, Valančiūnas was selected as the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for a fourth time. On January 26, 2018, he had a season-high 28 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
August 2018: Opening of adolescent's day home “Išvien” (United)
In August 2018, Jonas Valančiūnas' foundation opened adolescent's day home “Išvien” (United) to support adolescents with behavioral challenges.
November 2018: Season highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds
On November 21, 2018, Valančiūnas had season highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 124–108 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
February 2019: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
On February 7, 2019, Valančiūnas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol. On February 12, he made his debut for the Grizzlies, recording 23 points and 10 rebounds.
July 2019: Signs three-year contract with the Grizzlies
On July 11, 2019, Valančiūnas signed a reported three-year, $45 million contract with the Grizzlies.
2019: FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Jonas Valančiūnas represented the national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup where Lithuania finished 9th overall, leading his team in total points and rebounds, averaging 14.0 points and 8.8 rebounds.
February 2020: Career record in rebounds
On February 28, 2020, Valančiūnas improved his career record by grabbing 25 rebounds. On February 29, 2020, he scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.
August 2020: Achieves first triple-double
On August 13, 2020, Valančiūnas achieved his career's first triple-double: 26 points, 19 rebounds, 12 assists and led his team to a crucial victory securing chances to play in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
March 2021: Double-Double vs Washington Wizards
In March 2021, Jonas Valančiūnas achieved a double-double with 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a 127–112 victory over the Washington Wizards. This made him the first player in franchise history to record at least 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a single game.
August 2021: Trade to New Orleans Pelicans
In August 2021, Jonas Valančiūnas was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, and a 2022 protected first-round pick.
February 2022: Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year
In February 2022, Jonas Valančiūnas was named the Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year for the fifth time.
2023: FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2023, Jonas Valančiūnas represented the national team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup where Lithuania finished 6th overall. He averaged 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, which included a sensational victory against USA. He was named to the All-FIBA World Cup Second Team.
July 2024: Sign-and-trade agreement with the Washington Wizards
On July 6, 2024, Valančiūnas signed a three-year, $30 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Washington Wizards, with New Orleans acquiring a 2027 protected second-round pick in return.
2024: Second-round draft pick traded
On February 7, 2019, along with Valančiūnas, C. J. Miles, and Delon Wright, a 2024 second-round draft pick was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
February 2025: Trade 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.
July 2025: Medical evaluations with Panathinaikos in Athens, Greece
In July 2025, prior to the official completion of his trade to the Denver Nuggets, Jonas Valančiūnas traveled to Athens, Greece, to undergo medical evaluations with Panathinaikos, the European powerhouse.
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