For all those interested – ahem, Toronto Raptors fans – no. 5 overall 2011 NBA draft pick Jonas Valančiūnas donned his #17 jersey for Lietuvos Rytas twice this week in a pair of exhibition games against Belgian side and fellow Euroleague qualifying round contenders Charleroi Spirou.
In the first day of the back-to-back games (and Valančiūnas’ 2011 debut with the club) played before a mostly empty house, L. Rytas did just enough to take the match, 70-61. Valančiūnas started for the home side and contributed seven points and a big 11 rebounds.
On Thursday, the prospective Raptor put in 10 points to go with seven rebounds; the score line represented more of the same in the second match, with L. Rytas winning again, 77-73. This game was also noted as the debut performance of Renaldas Seibutis for the club; the former Olympiacos/Olin Edirne guard was good for seven points.
L. Rytas has gone 6-2 in the preseason thus far and takes on KK Buducnost of Montenegro in the Euroleague Qualifying Tournament first round on Thursday night.
