Lauri Markkanen Is Dominating for Team Finland at EuroBasket

Utah Jazz standout Lauri Markkanen was a flame-thrower for Finland in Sunday's contest against Poland, scoring 42 points in just 24 minutes of play. 

Several top NBA players are competing for their ccountries of origin during the EuroBasket tournament and the style of play is different. Even the best players aren't going to play extended minutes and huge scoring games are rare. That doesn't mean they can't happen. 

In the third tune-up game before the tournament starts, Markkanen made 10 of his 17 shots from the field. He also scored nearly half his shots from the free-throw line at he had 20 attempts and made 19 of them. 

Markkanen was born in Vantaa, Finland in 1997 to parents, Pekka and Riinna, who were both professional basketball players. His older brother Eero is a soccer player who has played for Real Madrid and the Finnish National team. 

Lauri chose to follow in his parents footsteps and pursue a career in basketball. He was scouted exgtensively in Finland and scored a college scholarship to the Univeristy of Arizona. He was drafte seventh overall in 2017 after just one season in the NCAA. Now entering his 9th season in the NBA, Markkanen signed a five-year $238 million extension with the Jazz in 2024. 

The Jazz have been rebuilding for years and 2024-2025 represented a down year for the Finnish forward. His 19.0 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, 42% shooting averagee from the field and 34% shooting average from three point range were all below his career norms. His current play at EuroBasket could, howvever, signal a return to form for the Finnish star.