Jonas Valančiūnas Biography Jonas Valančiūnas born May 6, 1992 is a Lithuanian professional basketball player currently playing for the Washington Wizards in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Toronto Raptors as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Valančiūnas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies at the 2019 trade deadline and later moved to the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 offseason. A prominent member of the Lithuania men’s national basketball team since the age of 19, Valančiūnas has won two EuroBasket silver medals, in 2013 and 2015, earning All-Tournament honors in the latter. He also appeared in the documentary The Other Dream Team.
Jonas Valančiūnas Biography
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who currently plays for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. The experienced center was selected fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2011 NBA Draft. Valančiūnas quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s top rebounders, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game during his rookie season. His remarkable skill and commitment earned him a lucrative four-year, $64 million contract with the Raptors in 2016. In 2019, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played for two seasons before moving to the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2022-23 season. As of March 2024, Valančiūnas is averaging 13.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season.
Jonas Valančiūnas Biography Details
| Born | 6 May 1992 (age 32) Utena, Lithuania |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| NBA draft | 2011: 1st round, 5th overall pick |
| Playing career | 2008–present |
| Category | Biography |
About Jonas Valančiūnas
Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. He was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. At the 2019 trade deadline, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
- Born: 6 May 1992 (age 32 years), Utena, Lithuania
- Current teams: Washington Wizards (#17 / Center), Lithuania
- Spouse: Eglė Valančiūnienė (m. 2013)
- Wingspan: 29 m
- Height: 11 m
- Dates joined: 2024 (Washington Wizards) ·
- Salary: 99 lakhs USD (2025)
Professional Career
Valančiūnas began his professional career with Perlas in 2008. In the 2008–09 season, the team played in the Lithuanian National Basketball League (NKL), the country’s second-tier league, before advancing to the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) the following season. In January 2009, he signed a long-term contract with Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas. However, he stayed with Perlas for the first half of the 2009–10 season, as Perlas was a subsidiary of Lietuvos Rytas.
Personal Information
| Name | Jonas Valanciunas |
| Net Worth | $35 million |
| Age | 31 years |
| Residence | Germantown |
| Position | Center |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Source of Wealth | Basketball, Endorsements |
| Salary | $15,067,500 |
| Endorsements | UBER, Itty Bitty Ballers |
| Endorsement Earnings | N/A |
Endorsements
Valančiūnas has signed endorsement deals with major brands such as Uber and GoDaddy. Notably, he participated in the “Itty Bitty Ballers” campaign with GoDaddy, where he promoted mini-figurines modeled after himself.
Investments
In addition to his basketball career and endorsements, Valančiūnas has demonstrated financial savvy by investing in the BC Wolves through the “Basketball Holding Company,” securing shares in the club. This strategic investment is part of his broader approach to diversifying his portfolio and ensuring long-term financial security.
Lifestyle and Other Income Sources
Jonas Valančiūnas enjoys a comfortable lifestyle, having purchased a $920,000 home in Germantown, which features 4,600 square feet of living space and four bedrooms. Despite his success, he remains grounded, often driving a 1992 Audi 80, a symbol of his modesty. His primary income sources include his basketball contracts, endorsement deals, and investments.
Charity Work
Beyond his basketball achievements, Valančiūnas actively participates in charitable endeavors. His initiatives focus on improving the lives of youth through sports and recreation. He has been involved in building facilities and supporting sustainable programs that empower young people, including the Itty Bitty Ballers campaign, which promotes basketball-themed miniature figurines to inspire youth participation.
Jonas Valančiūnas Net Worth and Salary 2025
Jonas Valančiūnas holds an estimated net worth of $35 million in 2025, owing to his successful NBA career and endorsement deals. He signed a two-year, $30,135,000 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, with a guaranteed amount of $30,135,000. His base salary for the 2025 season is $15,435,000.