VILNIUS (Lithuania) - It seemed to be the end of an era. After seven long years, Jonas Valanciunas was traded away from the Raptors. But it was a move which helped him build confidence heading into a huge summer with Lithuania.

The 27-year-old center found a new home in Memphis, helping the Grizzlies rebuild after Marc Gasol was traded to Toronto. And despite playing in just 19 games, the change was obvious, with Valanciunas posting 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the new club. It feels like he could be a 20-10 guy next season. More importantly for the national team, it feels like he could be on top of his game when they arrive in China for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

"EVERY TIME I STEP ON A COURT WEARING THE NATIONAL TEAM JERSEY, I GET GOOSE BUMPS. PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM IS THE HIGHEST ACCOLADE FOR ME, AS A PLAYER AND AS A PERSON."- Valanciunas

"Every player who sets goals on having a successful career wants more playing time, more touches of the ball during the game. To have an important role on his team. My situation after the trade was good to me, the team was used to playing a lot through a big man. So I was very happy to find myself in that kind of playing environment," Valanciunas said of his new club situation.

The rest will also serve him perfectly heading to the World Cup. The newfound offensive outburst should be on full display if and when the Lithuanian giant touches ground in Asia.

"(In Memphis), there were a lot of situations in many games when the ball was in my hands with the time running down and I had to make the decision which way to go. In situations like these, when a real game is going on, that's when you learn the most. Not when you're watching it from the bench or from videos made by scouting staff," he explained.

Lithuania could have one of the most impressive frontcourts at China 2019. Domantas Sabonis also set career-highs in points, rebounds and assists per game in his third NBA season. The two played together during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers with Lithuania winning both games by a hefty margin.

"Playing with Domantas was really a lot of fun and joy. Although under the new system there was only a week of preparation for both games and the format was quite unusual for all of us, I'm definitely looking forward to us stepping on a court together. Especially now, when we have a month to prepare for and to melt our playing strengths together," Valanciunas said.

Lithuania are in the group of death in Dongguan, alongside Senegal, Australia, and Valanciunas' adopted homeland of Canada.

"That game will somehow be special, having, in all my time with Toronto, represented Canada in the NBA. But at the same time, it will be a game where we will try our best to kick their butts!" the 2.13m (7ft) center said while bursting into laughter.

"I have enormous respect for Toronto, both the city and the organization. And not only for Toronto - I think the Raptors represent all of Canada, not only one city. So, I would like to thank all the fans in Canada, I've been treated very kindly over there for all of those seven years. After all, this was the place where my career in the NBA took off. I'm very grateful for everything, but we will still fight like there is no tomorrow, and try to win the game."

Lithunia will probably have to go for wins in the other two games, against Senegal and Australia.

"The group is very tough, to say the least. Everybody is talking about Canada and Australia, and they are right. Those teams can have many world-class players on their rosters. But let's not forget Senegal. They can be extremely dangerous too. As our head coach Dainius Adomaitis said, in a group like this you don't have the time to get in shape. You have to be at your best level right from the start."

"PLAYING WITH DOMANTAS SABONIS (DURING THE EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS) WAS REALLY A LOT OF FUN... I'M DEFINITELY LOOKING FORWARD TO US STEPPING ON A COURT TOGETHER."- Valanciunas

Motivation should not be a problem for Lithuania, a land of basketball. Nothing proves it better than the fact that the Baltic country hasn't missed the Olympics since gaining independence in the early 1990s.

The road to Tokyo takes them through China, and having the Olympics and the tradition in mind, it is easy to see what kind of feelings are there for Valanciunas when you ask him about the national team. No matter when and where you talk to him.

"Every time I step on a court wearing the national team jersey, I get goose bumps. It was always like that and I hope it will stay like this," he said. "Playing for the national team is the highest accolade for me, as a player and as a person. I'm patriot, and having a chance to play for my country gives some kind meaning to my life."

In China, Lithuania will be chasing a third consecutive Semi-Finals appearance at the World Cup, having finished third in Turkey in 2010, and fourth in Spain four years later. An 11-1 qualifying campaign suggests they are ready to push for the highest steps of the podium in 2019.

FIBA