Jonas Valanciunas has made a strong start to life at Zalgiris in the Lithuanian league, laying down an early challenge to every centre in Europe. Is the EuroLeague ready for the force at Tomas Masiulis’ disposal?
Fourteen NBA seasons, six different jerseys and countless battles against the best big men on the planet. The numbers tell their own story: 12.8 points and nine rebounds per game across more than 1,000 appearances.
Jonas Valanciunas has returned to Europe carrying everything he learned with the Raptors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Wizards, Kings and Nuggets. His first outings for Zalgiris have already offered a taste of what he can bring to Kaunas.
At 34, one of the most dominant European centres the game has seen has opened a new chapter. His two-year contract, reportedly worth a total of €5 million according to the Lithuanian press, reflects the Lithuanian champions’ investment in a player capable of shifting their offensive emphasis towards the paint. Of giving them a reliable focal point, where every inch of space gained matters.
In the domestic league opener, the veteran big man contributed 14 points in 21 minutes and 47 seconds to a 98-77 road victory over Gargzdai. He shot 6-for-7 on two-pointers and 2-for-5 from the free-throw line, adding one rebound. His efficiency in the paint stood out, although the missed free throws and modest rebounding return left room for an even more impressive performance.
That came against Neptunas on Sunday afternoon, September 20. In Zalgiris’ comfortable 93-69 win, Valanciunas needed just 12 minutes and 31 seconds to score 12 points, shooting 3-for-6 on two-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line, while collecting seven rebounds and dishing out two assists. Almost a point per minute, with a much stronger presence on the glass. Across his first two games, he totalled 26 points on 9-for-13 two-point shooting without spending even 35 minutes on the floor.
Naturally, the EuroLeague will bring greater intensity, stronger opposition and tougher defensive demands. These first nights back in Europe offer early indications, with the real test still to come over the next few days.
His basketball foundations, though, are clear. The Lithuanian can establish deep position in the low post, use his size to seal his defender and finish around the basket with or without contact. His strong screens open up lanes for ball handlers, including explosive scorers such as Carsen Edwards, while his post skills allow him to punish smaller defenders after switches.
On the offensive glass, he demands constant attention and often a second body to box him out, such is his ability in that area. Send help his way and opportunities emerge for open perimeter shots. His presence forces defences to keep deciding how many players to commit near the rim and which spaces to leave exposed elsewhere.
All of this comes within an outstanding basketball environment. Under the excellent Tomas Masiulis, Zalgiris have the culture of team play that a centre of this kind needs, along with top-class playmakers such as Nigel Williams-Goss. A guard who knows how to control the tempo, read the pick-and-roll and deliver the ball to his big man the moment an advantage opens up. For the Lithuanian coach, the connection between “NWG” and “JV” provides an important foundation to build on.
Valanciunas has nothing to prove to anyone. Over the next ten days, however, he will face the first EuroLeague tests of his return. On September 24, Crvena Zvezda await in Belgrade, with Johnathan Motley and Ebuka Izundu at centre.
Five days later, on September 29, the bar rises further. Reigning European champions Olympiacos travel to Kaunas with the competition’s best centre rotation: Nikola Milutinov, Donta Hall and Tyrique Jones. Size, athleticism, strength and a succession of options to wear him down.
That is where the answers will begin to emerge. The greater intrigue, however, lies in how ready his opponents are: just how well prepared is Europe’s premier competition to handle a player as imposing as Valanciunas?