Jonas Valanciunas is a seasoned veteran who has been playing as a center in the NBA for over a decade now. He began his pro basketball career in 2008, playing in the Lithuanian league for BC-Rytas 2, also known as Perlas. Then in 2010, the hoopster made the transition to Perlas’ parent club, Lietuvos Rytas. He put up some stellar numbers for both teams that received global attention. But it was his heroics at Lietuvos Rytas that earned him the FIBA Young Player of the Year award in 2012 and 2013.

Now these clubs may be unfamiliar to you and that’s alright. These sides hail from Valanciunas’ home country, after all. So let’s find out where he’s from and what his roots are.

What is Jonas Valanciunas’ nationality and ethnicity?

Jonas Valanciunas was born to Danute Valanciunas and Jonas Vilkas. He was raised by his mother Danute, who was a single parent because she and Vilkas never ended up getting married. Since he was raised by his mum alone, Jonas inherited his last name from her. 

Jonas Vilkas was reportedly a USSR rowing master. Despite Valanciunas being raised by his mother, he shares a close bond with his dad. Both Jonas and Danute are Lithuanian. This means our beloved NBA star is Lithuanian by both nationality and ethnicity. 

When was Valanciunas drafted into the NBA?

Having begun his playing career in Europe playing in the Lithuanian league, it took a while for him to get on NBA teams’ radars. However, once he did, he was a highly touted prospect who never faded away ever since! Jonas was rolled in with a proud first-round pick by the Toronto Raptors, and the 5th pick overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.

In his debut for the Raptors in October 2012, Jonas scored 12 points and registered 10 rebounds. He became the first Raptors rookie since Damon Stoudamire to record a double-double on their debut!

Jonas’ highest-scoring game was against his current club, the Washington Wizards, in March 2013 where he dropped a neat 24 points in his first NBA year. This also solidified his case, earning him the Rookie of the Month award in the following month for his efforts.

Jonas Valanciunas was ranked first among rookies in the Eastern Conference for various stats, in his rookie season. Namely, rebounds at 7.3, blocks at 1.07, and field goal percentage, shooting at a 62% clip!

By the end of his rookie season, the breakthrough big man averaged 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 62 games, starting 57 of them. He played just under 24 minutes. JV was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2013 for his consistent displays.

In his 12th season now, Jonas Valanciunas plays for the Washington Wizards. He left the Raptors in 2019, with stints at the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans to follow. Valanciunas has come to be regarded as a highly valuable veteran in the league. Amid trade rumors that link him with the NY Knicks and Lakers, it will be interesting to see where the Lithuanian center ends up!