Jonas Valanciunas was drafted for Lithuanian military last week
Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas has played in the NBA since the 2012-13 season. Last week, he received notice that he was drafted into the Lithuanian military.
Valanciunas, who is exempt, reportedly said he will find a way to participate during the summer off-season for the NBA. Typically, someone from Lithuania must serve nine months in the military. Valanciunas was one of 3,000 men (19-27 years old) who received notice to serve the military.
"When I get back to Lithuania in the summer time I will for sure participate somehow," he said, via The Toronto Sun. "I will support the Lithuanian army but right now I am on the other side of the world."
A few days after he was drafted, Valanciunas shared an Instagram photo in remembrance of the 25th anniversary for Lithuania's "January Events" from 1991. For a thorough summary of what happened in Lithuania that day, click here. On his post, Valanciunas wrote "Lithuanians around the world remember events of 1991 and hard road to freedom."
According to The Toronto Sun, mandatory military service in Lithuania is scheduled for the next five years.
Bryan Kalbrosky produces digital content for FOX Sports. For more, follow him on Twitter @BryanKalbrosky.
