Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lauri Markkanen

Discover the career path of Lauri Markkanen, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Lauri Elias Markkanen, nicknamed "the Finnisher" and "the Fabulous Finn", is a Finnish professional basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA and the Finland national team. He comes from a basketball family, being the son of former Finnish basketball players Pekka and Riikka Markkanen and the younger brother of footballer Eero Markkanen. Markkanen is known for his scoring ability and versatility on the court.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1967: Finland's Last EuroBasket Quarterfinal Appearance

In 1967, the year that preceded the 2022 EuroBasket Tournament, was the last time Finland had a quarterfinal appearance.

2014: Moved to Helsinki and joined Helsinki Basketball Academy

In 2014, Lauri Markkanen moved to Helsinki and joined Helsinki Basketball Academy, playing for HBA-Märsky in the Finnish second-tier league from 2014 to 2016.

October 2015: Verbal Commitment to Arizona Wildcats

In October 2015, Lauri Markkanen verbally committed to the NCAA Division I squad Arizona Wildcats for the 2016-17 season.

2015: Attended Basketball Without Borders camp

In 2015, Lauri Markkanen attended the Basketball Without Borders camp.

2015: International Debut at FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship

In 2015, Lauri Markkanen made his international debut with the Finnish U-18 national team at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, averaging 18.2 points per game and becoming the top scorer.

2015: Represented Finland at FIBA U18 EuroBasket

In 2015, Lauri Markkanen represented Finland at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament, becoming the top scorer.

2016: Played for HBA-Märsky

From 2014 to 2016, Lauri Markkanen played for the HBA-Märsky in the Finnish second-tier league. He was at the Helsinki Basketball Academy at the time.

2016: Represented Finland at FIBA U20 EuroBasket

In 2016, Lauri Markkanen represented Finland at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament, again becoming the top scorer.

2016: Signed letter of intent to Arizona

In 2016, Lauri Markkanen signed a letter of intent to play for Arizona Wildcats.

2016: Top scorer at FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship

In 2016, Lauri Markkanen was the top scorer at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship tournament for Finland U20, averaging 24.9 points per game and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

March 2017: Career-high three blocks against Arizona State

On March 4, 2017, Lauri Markkanen recorded a career-high three blocks against Arizona State in the regular season finale.

July 2017: Signed with the Chicago Bulls

On July 5, 2017, Lauri Markkanen signed a four-year rookie scale contract worth $20.4 million with the Chicago Bulls.

October 2017: NBA Debut with the Bulls

On October 19, 2017, Lauri Markkanen made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls, scoring 17 points. On October 24, 2017, he set an NBA record for most 3-pointers in the first three games of an NBA career, with ten 3-pointers.

2017: Signed shoe deal with Nike

After being drafted in 2017, Lauri Markkanen signed a multi-year sponsorship shoe deal with Nike.

2017: Declared for the NBA draft

In 2017, Lauri Markkanen announced his intention to enter the NBA draft, foregoing his remaining college eligibility.

2017: Played at EuroBasket

In 2017, Lauri Markkanen played with the Finland senior national team at EuroBasket, leading his team to the round of 16 with an average of 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds over 6 games.

2017: NBA Draft and Trade to the Bulls

In 2017, Lauri Markkanen was selected seventh overall in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and then traded to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler.

January 2018: Career-high 33 points against the New York Knicks

On January 10, 2018, Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 33 points and eight 3-pointers in a double overtime win against the New York Knicks. This made him the second seven-foot player to make eight three-pointers in a game.

January 2018: Leading scorer among NBA players from Finland

On January 28, 2018, Lauri Markkanen surpassed Hanno Möttölä to become the career leading scorer among NBA players from Finland, after scoring seventeen points against the Milwaukee Bucks.

January 2021: Season-high 31 points against the Portland Trail Blazers

On January 30, 2021, Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 31 points in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

August 2021: Acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers

On August 28, 2021, Lauri Markkanen was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team sign-and-trade. He reportedly signed a four-year contract worth $67.5 million.

March 18, 2022: Season-High Performance Against Denver Nuggets

On March 18, 2022, Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 31 points, alongside ten rebounds and four steals, in a 119–116 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.

September 2022: Traded to the Utah Jazz

On September 1, 2022, Lauri Markkanen was traded to the Utah Jazz.

2022: Recorded 28 Double-Doubles

During the 2022-23 season, Lauri Markkanen recorded 28 double-doubles in 66 games played, making it his single-season's record.

2022: EuroBasket Tournament

In the 2022 EuroBasket Tournament, Lauri Markkanen scored 43 points to lead Finland to a win over Croatia, setting a new all-time record for a Finnish player at the EuroBasket. Finland reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 55 years since 1967.

January 2023: Career-High 49 Points and First NBA All-Star Selection

In January 2023, Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49 points against the Houston Rockets. On February 2, 2023, he was named to his first NBA All-Star game. He became the first NBA All-Star born in a Nordic country.

November 2023: Season-High Performance Against Phoenix Suns

On November 19, 2023, Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 38 points and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.

December 2023: Extended Deal with Nike

In December 2023, Lauri Markkanen signed an extended and upgraded deal with Nike, including customized personal edition shoes, featuring "LM23" and "Finnisher" on each heel.

December 2023: Trade Speculations with the Jazz

On December 15, 2023, it was reported that Lauri Markkanen was no longer considered an untouchable figure on the Jazz, concerning any trade possibilities.

2023: All-Star Selection and Most Improved Player Award

In 2023, Lauri Markkanen earned his first All-Star selection and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award during his first year with the Utah Jazz. He also led Finland in the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament.

2023: Played in the 2023 FIBA World Cup

Lauri Markkanen was named in the Finnish national team roster to play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He averaged 24.8 points and 8 rebounds over five games, with Finland finishing 21st out of 32 teams.

January 2024: Named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week

On January 15, 2024, Lauri Markkanen was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career. On January 18, 2024, it was reported that the Jazz are determined to build around Markkanen long-term.

August 2024: Signed Contract Extension with the Jazz

On August 7, 2024, Lauri Markkanen signed a five-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz worth $238 million, becoming the highest earning Finnish athlete ever.