Raptors draft pick Jonas Valanciunas has parlayed an excellent season into a prestigious award.

The 7-foot Lithuanian, chosen fifth overall by Toronto in last June’s NBA draft, has been named FIBA’s European Young Men’s Player of the Year for 2011.

In voting conducted by a panel of European basketball experts, Valanciunas beat out Spain’s Nicola Mirotic in the voting.

Valanciunas averaged 23 points and 13.9 rebounds in leading Lithuania to the FIBA under-19 world championship last July; he averages 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague with Lietuva Rytas of Lithuania this season.

“A lot of people compare Valanciunas to (legendary Lithuanian centre Arvydas) Sabonis, but he has his own distinct style,” said FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin.

“What he does have in common with Arvydas is the potential to develop into a big man who dominates the game at both ends of the floor, just like the Lithuanian legend did.”

Valanciunas is expected to join the Raptors for the 2012-13 NBA season; he will play this summer for Lithuania as it tries to get one of three spots remaining in the 2012 London Olympics.

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