Valanciunas: Player Profile
John Hobbs analyses the performance of Jonas Valanciunas at EuroBasket 2011, Valanciunas is currently one of the most promising young prospects in Europe and was the fifth overall pick at the 2011 NBA draft.
Drafted to the Toronto Raptors, MVP at the U19 World Championships in
Latvia, a 100-foot Nike billboard and even his own rap song. Jonas
Valanciunas had a lot to live up to at EuroBasket 2011.
Playing limited minutes off the bench, the 6'11 center lived up to his
billing. He didn't average a 23 point, 13 rebound double-double like he did
in Latvia in July. But, Lithuania's most popular sports personality has
impressed a lot of people, competing well with fellow NBA big men in Pau
Gasol and Chris Kaman, whilst averaging eight points and four rebounds in
just over 15 minutes on court a game.
Valanciunas is a new breed of talent coming through the Lithuanian ranks,
which is needed. The squad is aging; no doubt about it and with the U19s
success in Latvia, those players could make Lithuania a contender for medals
again - led by the future Toronto Raptors big man.
He first made his mark at the 2009 U18s All Star game in Katowice, Poland,
just before the 2009 EuroBasket final. Jonas received MVP honours in that
game and hasn't looked back since, starring for top LKL side Lietuvos Rytas
before being drafted by the Raptors.
Right now, every time Valanciunas is on court, every move is concentrated
on. From his low-post game, to his footwork. The scary thing is: he is still
a work in progress; he has a solid offensive game where he needs to work on
his overall movement. Because the big man focuses on every move, he is a
little slow in his finished product. With a bit of off-season work, he can
certainly improve his quickness with regard to his footwork.
Defensively, he is a factor, but has shown to pick up cheap fouls due to
facing up against experienced big men. Jonas will improve through maturity
though. He can block shots, rebound well at both ends and isn't afraid to
get physical down low either.
Valanciunas is one of, if not the most talented and promising youngsters in
Europe right now. With a little work in the NBA, Lithuanian basketball will
be in safe hands with the 6'11 big.
26.09.11
Photographs courtesy of Mansoor Ahmed Photography