Lauri Markkanen made his first appearance in the All-Stars, after almost 6 years in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Markkanen as 7th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. At the Draft, Markkanen was a 7-foot shooter and made an instant impact with his shooting. This season, his performance for the Utah Jazz has been nothing less than exemplary. However, his spells with the Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers were good and now he is flying.
With his height advantage on both sides of the court, he spends 4 good seasons with the Bulls. Later on, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal. He had a good run with the Cavs, which made him a crucial player as a power forward and as a center. He provided a much-needed presence in gathering rebounds and blocking at the defensive end. Not to forget the depth he added in the shooting department from beyond the arc, hence the nickname, “The Finnisher.”
CAREER-HIGH 49 PTS FOR LAURI MARKKANEN 😳 pic.twitter.com/WY0bAqekQw
— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2023
Earlier this year, he put up a career-high 49-point performance in the win against the Houston Rockets. He knocked down six 3-pointers, and 5 dunks, and went 13 for 13 from the free-throw line. It couldn’t go any better for the 25-year-old.
During his initial years in the NBA, he was called “The Finisher,” due to his nationality and his shooting abilities. It’s fair to say, this season, he is in top form for the Utah Jazz. He is averaging 25.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. His 3-point percentage is hands-down at an elite level of 40.8% this season with the Utah Jazz.
Where is Lauri Markkanen from?
Markkanen is a 25-year-old Finnish basketball player, his father, Pekka Markkanen played professional basketball. Pekka represented the Finnish basketball national team. He played professionally in Finland and Spain from 1984-2004. He was known for his shooting abilities, something his son inherited from him. Lauri’s mother Riikka also represented the Finnish volleyball national team. However, she did play basketball at a junior level.
Lauri has 2 elder siblings, who also play soccer and basketball professionally. Ero Markkanen plays professional soccer, and surprisingly signed for Real Madrid for a season. However, he now plays for a club IFK Helsingfors in Helsinki. His other elder brother Miikka Markkanen played for their father’s local team. Nonetheless, Lauri has gone on to become the best athlete in the family, playing at a high level in the NBA.