For Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, Jonas Valanciunas is ‘one of the best bigs' in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Valanciunas, who's representing Lithuania in the quadrennial affair, worked with Nurse for several years with the Toronto Raptors before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the middle of the 2018-19 season.
By some stroke of fate, Canada — helmed by Nurse — was drawn to the same group as Lithuania. And ahead of their matchup, Nurse briefly recalled his relationship with Valanciunas and gave huge praises to his former player.
Per Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun:
“Who, Jonas?” Nurse said when a Lithuanian reporter asked in choppy English for the coach to describe Valanciunas earlier this week. “Jonas and I are good friends, obviously. I coached him for a long time. Spent a bunch of time in Lithuania with him. I mean, obviously, he’s a starting centre in the NBA that produces. He has been with the national team for a long time. He is certainly one of the best bigs in the tournament without question.”
Lithuania won their first game against Senegal, 101-47, which puts them at 1-0 and on top of Group H — ahead of Australia on point difference. In the win, Valanciunas had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Canada, meanwhile, has a 0-1 record, after their loss to the Boomers in their opening game.
Given that Nurse has a firm grasp of Valanciunas' abilities, can he utilize it to power the Canadians to their first win in the FIBA World Cup? Or will the Lithuanians prove too big and too strong for the Canadians?
Lithuania plays Canada on Tuesday, September 3, 7:30 am ET.
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