National Basketball Association

Raptors sign Valanciunas to deal

Published Jul. 18, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Toronto Raptors have signed Lithuanian 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas, the fifth overall pick of the 2011 draft.

Valanciunas received a two-year deal, with two team option years.

The Raptors had to wait to bring him to the NBA because he had a $2.5 million buyout with his club team in Lithuania.

Valanciunas averaged 14.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 23.5 minutes in 23 games last season with Lietuvos Rytas. He also played for the gold-medal winning Lithuania team at the 2011 under-19 world championships. He averaged 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks en route to the most valuable player award.