Former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas returning to Europe with Lithuanian club

Former Toronto Raptors first-round centre Jonas Valanciunas has signed a contract with Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas, the team announced Wednesday.

A former first-round pick is heading home to Europe. Former Toronto Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas has signed a contract with Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas, the team announced Wednesday. According to the club, which competes in both the Lithuanian Basketball League and EuroLeague, Valanciunas signed a two-year deal which will last until the end of the 2027-28 season.

A native of Utena, Lithuania, Valanciunas played 14 years in the NBA split between the Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets. Drafted by the Raptors fifth overall in 2011, Valanciunas spent a year in Lithuania before heading across the pond to join Toronto. He has averaged 12.8 points and nine rebounds in 1,002 career games.

He spent last season with the Nuggets as Nikola Jokic's backup, averaging 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in a career-low 13.4 minutes per game.