Jonas Valančiūnas's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Jonas Valančiūnas.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 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.
December 2012: Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year
In December 2012, Valančiūnas was named Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year.
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: 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.
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: 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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
