Raps' prospect praised

Toronto Raptors prospect Jonas Valanciunas was voted as the best international player not in the NBA by the league's general managers.

The results of the NBA's 10th annual GM's poll were released on Tuesday, revealing the perceived value of the Raptors' Lithuanian big man.

Chosen fifth-overall in the 2011 draft, the 6'11 centre is currently playing for BC Lietuvos Rytas of the Lithuanian Basketball League with whom he has one more season on his current contract.

Playing for Lietuvos Rytas, the 19-year-old Valanciunas was named the 2011 Lithuanian Basketball Player of the Year.

In the NBA's poll, where GM's are not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel, Valanciunas received 36 per cent of the votes as best international player not in the league.

Valanciunas narrowly beat out Juan Carlos Navarro of Spain who earned 32 per cent.

In other results from the poll, Canadian Steve Nash was ranked as the player with the best basketball IQ, second-best passing ability and tied for third as the league's best leader.