Kingsfans Predraft Scouting Report: Jonas Valanciunas

Name: Jonas Valanciunas
Position: C
Age: 19
Hgt: 6'11"
Wgt: 240
College/Country: Lithuania
Class: N/A
10-11 Stats: 14.9min 7.6pts (.700 .000 .917) 5.4reb 0.2ast 0.2stl 0.6blk 1.4TO
Projected Draft Position: #4-#8
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Kingfans Scouting Report #1:

Jonas Valanciunas: 6'11", 240lbs, Lietuvos Rytas, 19 yrs old

Jonas is a project which could potentially take 2-3 years to develop, but the risk is minimal. Very solid at finishing around the basket, on putbacks, dump-off passes, or the pick & roll. Does not have a good post game, where you can dump the ball into him and let him attack one-on-one, but has shown both growth and promise in that area, and should only improve. Does not have an away from the basket, or face up game at this time. However, he shoots an extremely impressive 91% from the free throw line, with above average shooting machanics, which leads many to believe it is only a matter of time until he becomes a threat away from the basket.

Jonas will be able to contribute immediately on the defensive end, and on the glass. There are not many centers in the NBA with his combination of size, athletic ability, fluidity, and motor. He still needs to add strength, which will negate some of his effect at this level until he grows into his body, but only recently turned 19, and is beginning to fill out.

The NBA player he reminds most of is Noah. Both are extremely active around the basket, on both ends of the floor, bring many intangibles to the court, yet don't contribute much offensively unless it is a putback, or a dump-off in the paint. However, Jonas has great hands, and will be more of a pick & roll threat than Noah.

Another player Jonas is commonly compared to is Biedrins. Both are active around the basket, just like Noah, contest/alter shots, and can finish in the paint. That is where the comparisons end, as Jonas has much more upside than Biedrins on the offensive end. Again, Jonas shoots 91% from the free throw line, while Biedrens is lucky to hit 40%.

Most likely, you will see an Asik type contribution from Jonas as a rookie, unless he is drafted by a team which can't afford to bring him off the bench. He will contribute more than Asik on the offensive end, and is much more comfortable being on the receiving end of passes than Asik.

In 5 years, Jonas has the potential to be a top 10 center, above average defender and rebounder, while finishing more than 50% of his FGA.

Numbers in prime: 13-15ppg, 8-10 rpg, 1.8-2.5 bpg