Jonas Valanciunas returns to Zalgiris Kaunas from NBA

Jonas Valanciunas has returned to Lithuania to play for Zalgiris Kaunas after a 14-year career in the NBA. The 34-year-old center signed a two-year contract with the club, marking one of the most significant transfers in European basketball this summer.

During an appearance on the show ‘Stonkus Tiesiogiai’, Valanciunas made a humorous pledge regarding the team's ambitions. He agreed with host Mantas Stonkus that if Zalgiris wins the EuroLeague title, both he and the host will shave their heads and beards completely.

Valanciunas joins a reinforced Zalgiris roster that includes players such as Karsen Edwards and Sterling Brown. His move follows a stint with the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in the 2025/26 season.