Jonas Valanciunas Puts Toronto Raptors in a Bind with DUI

If you had to guess which Toronto Raptors player would be arrested at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning in Wasaga Beach and charged with driving under the influence, Jonas Valanciunas would be one of your last picks.

But that’s not the point. The point is the 21-year-old was arrested for drunk driving about 130 kilometers from Toronto when police spotted empty beer bottles in his vehicle while he was at a late-night drive-thru. They followed him and made their arrest not long after.

Now, the Raptors have to deal with the fall-out. Valanciunas has never been in trouble before and is generally regarded as one of the nicest players on the team you’ll meet. The young Lithuanian has been nothing but a pro since he entered the NBA. But people make mistakes.

“I hold myself to a high standard and take my role as a member of the Toronto Raptors very seriously,” Valanciunas said in a statement released by the team. “I apologize to the organization, my teammates, my family and my fans, and regret any negativity this incident has brought upon them.”

It is a dark cloud rolling in over what’s been a surprisingly sunny season from the Raptors. It’s not going anywhere, either. Toronto is headed to the playoffs for the first time in six years and the club’s starting centre has a court appearance in Collingwood on April 22, which is just after the start of the first round. There’s been no indication that the league or the Raptors will slap Valanciunas with additional punishment.

However, As much as the team will say this situation won’t be a distraction, it will – at least it will be for Valanciunas and that’s the last thing he needs right now. He’s coming off two of his best games of the season, picking up 22 points and nine rebounds in a win over Indiana and dropping 17 points with 13 rebounds the following night to help Toronto past Milwaukee.

Now he has to step up and face the music at Tuesday morning’s practice. From there we’ll know more but a media circus is the last thing Toronto needs with just five games left in the regular season.

The Raptors host the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto is listed at +4400 to win the NBA Championship in Sports Interaction’s NBA futures odds.