Valančiūnas was named Lithuania Basketball Player of the Year three times, on 27 December 2011,[REF] on 11 December 2012[REF] and on 17 December 2014 [REF].
Valančiūnas was considered as a top prospect at the 2011 NBA draft, held on 23 June 2011, and was drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors.