Inside The Wizards

Wizards Center Shares Secret to Long Career

The Washington Wizards have a veteran still capable of making a massive impact.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 8, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards made it their mission to add some veteran talent to help the younger players on the roster this season, and they did just that with the signing of center Jonas Valanciunas.

Valanciunas, 32, is averaging 12 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for the Wizards so far this season, which is comparable to his numbers while playing with the New Orleans Pelicans last year despite playing fewer minutes.

Valanciunas spoke with RG reporter Grant Afseth to discuss how he is able to improve and remain one of the best big men in the world.

“You’ve got to know what you want,” Valanciunas said via Afseth.

“For me, it’s about being consistent and present, taking care of my body, and doing the little things. That’s what has kept me here.”

Valanciunas spent his first seven seasons in the league with the Toronto Raptors after being chosen with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol in 2019 months before the Raptors won an NBA championship, but he was still a big reason behind the team's maturation to get to the league's mountaintop.

He was with the Grizzlies for the next two seasons after being traded before a three-year stint with the New Orleans Pelicans. Valanciunas helped both of those teams reach the playoffs while he was there.

While playoffs may not be the goal for the Wizards with Valanciunas in the frontcourt, he is still adding a ton of value both on and off the court. The Wizards hope that his work will eventually lead to a better overall product within the organization that will see Washington back in contention whether it happens while he is in the nation's capital or not.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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