Post by jhb on May 10, 2021 13:28:52 GMT -5
Jonas Valanciunas
C
6'11"
240
19
Lithuania
Valanciunas is an import from Lithuania who has an incredible track record of professional success in a very short time in Euroleague. He posted eye-popping efficiency numbers in his short time there, making over 70% from the field and 88.5% from the free throw line. He doesn't get the traditional knocks that many European big men get about being soft and passive, as scouts say that he plays well through contact and he is a tough defender with shot-blocking potential. Jonas gets rave reviews for his work ethic and hustle.
Valanciunas posssesses great size and length and is a very fluid athlete. He's got a lot of traits that you simply can't teach. While he's still got plenty of room on his frame to add strength, that has come along well so far and even for a 19 year old, he won't be pushed around on Day 1 and will be able to hold is own even with larger centers. He's very active on offense where he shows an array of developing low-post moves. He has a nice touch on his turnaround and hook moves in the paint and that carries out to his jumper. His mechanics are very repeatable and he's been money at the charity stripe. He should be an asset in the pick and roll game as he has shown some instincts for slipping the pick to roll and he's got the jumper to also convert pick and pop opportunities after setting some tough screens to give his guards space. Scouts rave about his basketball IQ as he either sets up in position for a high-efficiency opportunity or he immediately passes out of trouble and allows the opportunity for the offense to reset and attack another way. Since he operates so close to the basket he is often in position for offensive rebounds and is adept at the tip-in. One thing he needs to work on is creating his own offense. He still needs the feed in the low post to open up his opportunities or to work in a two-man game on the pick and roll. He's not great in the face-up game yet and while his jumper is smooth to up to 20 feet, he doesn't have any range beyond that.
Defensively, he has the length and athleticism to become an above average to good shot blocker who will anchor a defense from inside. He can, at times, drift away from the basket and show the athleticism to challenge players on the perimeter but he'll be a great on-ball low post defender, especially as he adds good weight. He has great instincts for boxing out and positioning on the boards as a young player and he shows consistent hustle to try and clean the glass for his side.
Valanciunas has a lot of potential with his athletic ability, but he's further along in terms of refining his technical skills with his focused professional-level training and coaching in Europe and therefore his ceiling may not be quite as high as some of his American peers who haven't had the same benefit.
