Photo: fiba.basketball

Jonas Valanciunas is back where his professional career began, and his arrival has dramatically raised expectations surrounding Zalgiris Kaunas ahead of the new EuroLeague season.

After spending 14 years in the NBA, the Lithuanian center chose to return home on a two-year contract.

His signing, combined with the arrivals of Carsen Edwards and Sterling Brown, has given Zalgiris a roster capable of setting its sights considerably higher than in previous campaigns.

Valanciunas appears ready to embrace those expectations.

During an appearance on the Lithuanian show Stonkus Tiesiogiai, he and host Mantas Stonkus came up with a memorable way to celebrate a potential championship: both promised to shave their heads and beards if Zalgiris wins the EuroLeague.

The veteran big man arrives in Kaunas after finishing his NBA journey with the Denver Nuggets, where he served as Nikola Jokic’s backup.

During the 2025-26 regular season, he produced 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while converting 58.2% of his field-goal attempts.

His move also closes an extensive NBA chapter that included 1,002 regular-season appearances and stops with six different franchises.

Valanciunas leaves the league with career averages of 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.