Jonas Valanciunas, PF

The drought of big men coming over from the international ranks could end with the 2011 NBA Draft.

Valanciunas, Jan Vesely and Donatas Motiejunas could all be selected in the draft lottery. Valanciunas and Motiejunas are vying to be the highest-drafted Lithuanian player in NBA history.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is presently the highest drafted Lithuanian; the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Big Z with the 20th pick in the 1996 draft. Arvydas Sabonis was drafted 24th in the 1986 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and the same team chose Linas Kleiza as the 27th pick in 2005.

Just 19, Valanciunas has had a great season and drawn the attention of scouts swarming in Vilnius like bees. Even with the potential for an NBA lockout, the power forward has made his intentions known to teams that he plans on playing in the United States next season.

"I'm very positive about Jonas' chances in the NBA draft," said the player's agent, Sarunas Broga. "It's too early to talk about any predictions, but he could expect to be a lottery pick. Most NBA teams are interested in the player, but their level of interest is not the same and depends on how high of a pick they might have when it's time to draft and the individual team's needs."

Broga admits that the possible lockout might have improved Valanciunas' chances in the draft and if a new CBA is not approved in time that would mean the player would stay in Europe for another season. According to the agent, "the fear of a lockout has already made a big impact, as many Americans decided not to take any chances by staying in college for another year."

"This has lessened the competition for players outside the USA. This particular draft is good for Jonas because of the lack of big men in general. Also, because Jonas is younger than many of his rivals and has more time and space to improve. A lockout would mean Jonas could spend an extra year in Europe and come to the NBA much stronger physically and with more experience," said Broga.

Valanciunas began his basketball career as a member of the Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania) junior team. He was later signed for the 2008-09 season by Perlas Vilnius and played with that team until January 2010. The forward was then signed by Lietuvos Rytas that month and is presently with the parent club.

Valanciunas was a member of the 2009-10 Lithuanian National Championship Lietuvos Ryats team that would also capture the 2011 Lithuanian National Cup. He played in the 2010 Lithuanian All Star Game. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Lithuanian

U-16 and U-18 National teams, winning the gold medal at the 2008 European U-16 championship, leading the tournament in blocked shots (2.3 blocks per game). He also played at the 2009 European U-18 Championship.

After competing in a total of 53 games during his first two seasons, Valanciunas emerged in 2010-11. In 59 contests, he averaged 10.05 points per game, making 67.8 percent of his field goals while connecting on 78.4 percent of his shots from the foul line. He blocked a Lithuanian League-best 88 shots and pulled down 384 rebounds, good for 6.51 per game.

Positives: Nineteen years old and as his frame develops, he could be an efficient performer in an up-tempo offense; very fluid getting up and down the court … Does not have even a marginal perimeter game and lacks strength to prevent opponents from pushing him out of the paint, but has a lot of scoring success on broken plays and put-backs … Uses his wing span well to alter shots … Has very good elevation and is aggressive attacking the rim, ranking among the top international performers in rebounds and blocked shots … Has grown over four inches in 18 months and could top out at over seven-feet … Uses his broad shoulders and long arms to gain separation from the defender and will force his man out of the paint with 12-foot range … Despite his pedigree, he is usually an afterthought on offense, having to get his opportunity on putbacks and with a resounding dunk … Very comfortable working around the basket; predominantly a shooter with his right hand, using his body when setting up screens, keeping his arms high and active to secure the pass … With his soft hands and 7-foot-6 wingspan, he regularly registers putbacks off the offensive glass (averaged over five put-backs per game last season) … Stays low when rolling to the basket and is quick off his feet to alter shots … Quality finisher who will make a point guard very happy with his uncanny ability to corral errant passes and finish on pick-and-roll plays … Shows very good balance and body control cutting to the basket … Might get bounced out of the paint often vs. the bigger men, but makes defenders work for position … Solid rebounder and superb shot blocker who gives great effort working in the paint … Has a good feel for pressure, demonstrating good reflexes and elevation going up for the rebound … Explosive leaper who does a nice job of contorting his body to slip past traffic and elevate high and above the rim for the resounding block … Will need to add bulk to his frame, but he can carry at least another 20 pounds without it affecting his timed speed … Not really a finesse player, but is a solid blue collar type with that work ethic to dive for lose balls, hedge on screens or use his change of direction and lateral agility in defensive rotations … Plays bigger than he measures and could move to power forward in the NBA … Very comfortable in the pivot but lacks back-to-the-basket scoring ability … Has very good hands to secure rebounds and works hard to clean the offensive glass, where he gets to lots of his own missed shots (has good second jump ability) … Has to improve his strength to do a better job of establishing position, but he can absorb contact on the way to the basket, as opponents seem to just bounce off him when he gets into the lane, despite his lanky-looking frame … Can also use those long arms to secure the high lob and turn to attack the rim with aggression … Lacks an outside shot, but can take his jumper from the top of the key and in.

Negatives: Like most Europeans, he will need patient coaching and considerable hours in the weight room to improve his core strength while adding bulk to a muscle-lacking frame … Perhaps a product of his youth, he has yet to develop solid basketball IQ and is prone to biting on hesitation moves, pump fakes and head fakes … Will flail his arms around wildly when a scorer slashes by, which generally leads to early game foul trouble … Because of his lack of strength, opponents know that they can box him out and manhandle him in the paint … His perimeter game is virtually non-existent … Plays at a high energy level, but fails to maintain position when defending the paint … Has good speed, but lacks explosion and recovery ability when an opponent races by him … Too inconsistent when trying to back his man down working inside … Lacks bulk and strength to maintain position in the paint … Must improve his low post game and seems more comfortable scoring from catch-and-shoot situations rather than posting up … Like most European forwards, is too rigid when he puts the ball on the floor for more than a dribble or two (ball gets too high, resulting in costly turnovers) … Marginal passer who fails to locate open targets and he lacks the ability to power through when facing initial contact … Right-hand dominant and almost never goes with his left hand … Looks sloppy moving his feet and is not that comfortable trying to create his shot … Slow to recognize perimeter shooters and makes just passive attempts to disrupt the shooter, resulting in poor rotations … Has limited back-to-the-basket skills.

Compares To: BEN WALLACE, Detroit Pistons -- Valanciunas is nowhere near the intimidating presence that Wallace was in his prime. He's a similar blue-collar type who knows his physical limitations and works hard to find ways to contribute consistently. He has the shot-blocking and rebounding presence like the former Bulls, Cavaliers and Pistons center, but needs to add more bulk to his frame and have a patient coach bring his offensive game along by adding range. On just his ability to block shots and get to rebounds alone, he is worth strong consideration in the early first round. His inside scoring game is filled with dunks and put-backs, but if he can continue to develop his jumper and hook shot, we could be seeing the next international big man to enter the NBA.

--Dave Te' Thomas

Valanciunas appeared in a total of 59 games - 15 in the Euroleague, nine in the VTB United League, four in the Baltic League and 31 in the Lithuanian League … Combined for a 10.05-point average (593 total), as he was successful on 236-of-348 field goals (67.8 percent) and 120-of-153 free throws (78.4 percent) … Collected a career-high 384 rebounds (6.51 rpg), as he blocked 88 shots (1.49 bpg), had 31 steals and added 29 assists … Scored in double figures 30 times … In Euroleague action, he had 15 points, two blocked shots and nine boards vs. Cibona … His best showing in the VTB United League came vs. Minsk-2006, as he totaled 14 points with six rebounds … Against Lithuanian league competition,. He had 19 points with eight rebounds vs. Zalgris and 21 points on 9-of-11 field goals, snaring 13 boards vs. Sakalai … Added another 13 rebounds vs. his former team, Perlas and snared 18 rebounds while pouring in 19 points in 21 minutes vs. Alytus Alita … In his next game, he had another 19-point effort with three blocked shots vs. Neptunas … Continued his torrid pace the next game, as he delivered 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting while blocking four shots and grabbing 13 rebounds vs. Juventus … Tallied 23 points in just 22 minutes vs. Rudupis, hitting on 9-of-10 field goals to go with eight boards.

Valanciunas played in a total of 28 games, appearing in 20 contests with Perlas Vilnius before finishing out the year with eight appearances for Lietuvos Rytas … Finished with 321 points (11.46 ppg), as he made 115-of-182 field goals (63.2 percent) and 91-of-124 free throws (73.4 percent) … Averaged 7.0 rebounds (196), 1.68 blocks (47), 0.32 steals (9) and 0.5 assists (14) per game.

Valanciunas competed in 25 games, including nine with the Lithuanian National team and 16 with Perlas Vilnius … Credited with 335 points (13.4 ppg) and 220 rebounds (8.8 rpg), as he blocked 57 shots (2.28 bpg), handed out 13 assists and came up with 17 steals … Was successful on 128-of-196 field goal tries (65.3 percent) and made 73.1 percent of his free throws (79-of-108).

JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM

Valanciunas began his basketball career as a member of the Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania) junior team … Was a member of the Lithuanian U-16 and U-18 National teams, winning the gold medal at the 2008 European U-16 championship, leading the tournament in blocked shots (2.3 bpg.), as he contained ex-Kantucky recruit, Enes Kanter in their encounter to four points … Also played at the 2009 European U-18 Championship, scoring 174 points (19.33 ppg) while coming up with 95 rebounds (10.56 rpg) and 23 blocked shots in nine contests to help Lithuania win the title while he hoisted the tournament MVP trophy.

Valanciunas appeared in 112 games during the last three seasons, including nine with the Lithuanian national team, 36 with Perlas Vilnius and 67 with Lietuvas Rytas Vilnius, as he competed in U-16 and U-18 Europeans Championship, Euroleague, VTB United League, Baltic League and Lithuanian League competition … He combined for 1,249 points (11.15 ppg), connecting on 479-of-726 field goals (66.0 percent) and 290-of-385 free throws (75.3 percent) … Snared 800 rebounds (7.14 rpg), as he blocked 192 shots (1.71 bpg), handed out 56 assists and had 57 steals (0.51 spg).

Born on 5/06/92 … Resides in Utena, Lithuania.