Paulius Valinskas

Paulius Valinskas (born 9 December 1995) is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Lietkabelis Panevėžys of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) and the EuroCup.[1] He is a 1.91 m (6'3") tall combo guard.

Paulius Valinskas
Valinskas with Žalgiris Kaunas in 2018
Lietkabelis Panevėžys
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeagueLithuanian Basketball League
EuroCup
Personal information
Born (1995-12-09) December 9, 1995
Kaunas, Lithuania
Listed height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Listed weight85 kg (187 lb)
Career information
NBA draft2017: undrafted
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2016BC Žalgiris-2
2016–2019Žalgiris Kaunas
2018–2019→Lietkabelis Panevėžys
2019→Orléans Loiret
2019–2021Lietkabelis Panevėžys
2021–2022Okapi Aalst
2022–2023FMP
2023–presentLietkabelis Panevėžys
Career highlights and awards

Early career

During the 2015–16 season with BC Žalgiris-2, Valinskas won the National Basketball League silver medals after losing to BC Sūduva in the final. He averaged 14.5 points and 3.2 assists in 29 minutes of action and got the 2015–16 Most Improved Player Award.[2]

Professional career

After a breakout season with Žalgiris-2, Valinskas was invited into the main Žalgiris team in the summer of 2016.[3] During his first two years, he saw little playing time. In the 2017–18 season, he averaged 4.7 points in the LKL and 2.8 points in the Euroleague. On 3 November 2017, during an away game against CSKA Moscow, Valinskas scored a career high 11 points, making 3 of his 4 three-pointers.

On 6 August 2018, Valinskas was loaned to Lietkabelis Panevėžys.[4] In 55 games played during the season (both in the LKL and the Champions League), Valinskas averaged 11.9 points, 3.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds, shooting 46% from the field overall.

On 2 August 2019, he went on loan to French club Orléans Loiret Basket of the LNB Pro A.[5]

On 12 August 2021, Valinskas signed with Okapi Aalst of the Belgian BNXT League.[6]

On 4 August 2022, Valinskas signed a two-year contract for FMP of the Basketball League of Serbia and the ABA League.[7][8] On 13 April 2023, he mutually parted ways with the Serbian club.[9] In 21 games played, he averaged 14.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

On 9 September 2023, Valinskas returned to Lietkabelis Panevėžys, signing a one-year contract.[10]

References
  1. "Paulius Valinskas / Žaidėjai - Basketnews.lt". basketnews.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  2. "Labiausiai patobulėjęs NKL žaidėjas Valinskas: "Tai buvo paskutinis mano mačas šioje ekipoje"". basketnews.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  3. ""Žalgiryje" debiutuosiantis Valinskas: "Esu pasiruošęs kilti į aukštesnį lygį"". basketnews.lt (in Lithuanian). 31 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  4. "Zalgiris inks Sabeckis and loans Valinskas". zalgiris.lt. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  5. "Paulius Valinskas signs with Orleans". Sportando. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  6. "Litouwse Paulius Valinskas nieuwe combo-guard". Okapi Aalst (in Flemish). 12 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  7. "FMP doveo pouzdanog šutera iz Litvanije". mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  8. "Paulius Valinskas joins FMP Meridian on a 2-year deal". aba-liga.com. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  9. "FMP nutraukė kontraktą su P.Valinsku". krepsinis.net (in Lithuanian). 13 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  10. "Į Panevėžį grįžta Paulius Valinskas". kklietkabelis.lt (in Lithuanian). 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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