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 Markkanen, nicknamed "the Finnisher," is a Finnish professional basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA and the Finland national team. Born to Finnish basketball players Pekka and Riikka Markkanen, he also comes from an athletic family, being the younger brother of footballer Eero Markkanen. Markkanen is a prominent figure in Finnish basketball and a key player for his NBA team.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1995: Most opening-day points since Michael Jordan

Lauri Markkanen tied a career-high with 35 points along with 17 rebounds in a one-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the most opening-day points by a Chicago Bull since Michael Jordan in 1995.

2014: Joins Helsinki Basketball Academy

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

October 2015: Commitment to Arizona Wildcats

On October 17, 2015, Lauri Markkanen verbally committed to the NCAA Division I squad Arizona Wildcats prior to the 2016–17 season.

2015: International Debut with Finnish U-18 Team

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

2015: Finland at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket

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

2016: Plays for HBA-Märsky

From 2014 to 2016, Lauri Markkanen played for the academy team HBA-Märsky in the Finnish second-tier league.

2016: Finland at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket

In 2016, Lauri Markkanen represented Finland at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket tournament where he was the top scorer.

2016: Top Scorer in FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship

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

2016: Signs letter of intent to Arizona

On November 11, 2016, Lauri Markkanen signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the Arizona Wildcats.

March 2017: Career-high 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: Signs with the Chicago Bulls

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

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, Markkanen set an NBA record for most 3-pointers in the first three games of an NBA career with ten 3-pointers.

2017: Enters NBA draft

At the conclusion of his freshman season in 2017, Lauri Markkanen announced his intention to forgo his final three years of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2017 NBA draft.

2017: EuroBasket Tournament

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

2017: NBA Draft and Trade to the Chicago Bulls

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

2017: Sponsorship deal with Nike

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

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

On January 10, 2018, Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 33 points along with a career-high eight 3-pointers in a double overtime win against the New York Knicks.

January 2018: Leading Scorer Among Finnish NBA Players

On January 28, 2018, after scoring seventeen points against the Milwaukee Bucks, Lauri Markkanen surpassed Hanno Möttölä (715) as the career leading scorer among NBA players from Finland.

May 2018: Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team

On May 22, 2018, Lauri Markkanen was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

January 2021: Season-High Score Against Portland Trail Blazers

On January 30, 2021, Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 31 points in a loss to 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 to complete the deal.

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

On March 18, 2022, Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 31 points, alongside ten rebounds and four steals, in a 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: Double-Doubles

During the 2022-2023 season, Markkanen recorded 28 double-doubles in 66 games played, making it his single-season's record.

2022: EuroBasket Performance

In 2022, at the 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. The win also lead to Finland's first quarterfinal appearance in 55 years.

January 2023: Career-High Points Against Houston Rockets

On January 5, 2023, Lauri Markkanen put up a then career-high with 49 points in a win against the Houston Rockets.

April 24, 2023: Named NBA Most Improved Player

On April 24, 2023, Lauri Markkanen was named the 2022–23 NBA Most Improved Player.

November 2023: Season-High Points and Rebounds Against Phoenix Suns

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

December 2023: Extended deal with Nike

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

December 2023: Trade Possibilities

On December 15, 2023, it was reported that Lauri Markkanen appeared to no longer be an off-limits, "untouchable" figure on the Jazz, concerning any trade possibilities, as the interest in him grew around the league.

2023: All-Star Selection and Most Improved Player Award

In 2023, Lauri Markkanen experienced a career resurgence with the Jazz, earning his first All-Star selection and winning the Most Improved Player Award. He also led Finland in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup tournament.

2023: FIBA World Cup Participation

In 2023, Lauri Markkanen played in the FIBA World Cup for the Finnish national team. He averaged 24.8 points and 8 rebounds over five games, but Finland finished 21st out of 32 teams after losses in the group stage.

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, it was reported that the Jazz are determined to build around Markkanen long-term as their franchise player, and are expected to re-negotiate and extend his current deal in summer 2024.

August 2024: Signs Contract Extension with the Jazz

On August 7, 2024, Lauri Markkanen signed a contract extension with the Jazz, on a five-year deal worth $238 million, surpassing Kimi Räikkönen to become the highest earning Finnish athlete ever.

August 8, 2025: Career-High Points Against Belgium

On August 8, 2025, Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 48 points, going 17-from-23 from the field, in a friendly win over Belgium in preparation for EuroBasket 2025. He set a Finland national team record, surpassing his own previous record from 2022.

2025: EuroBasket Semi-Final Appearance

At the EuroBasket 2025, Lauri Markkanen averaged 23.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, leading Finland to a historic semi-final appearance. Finland ultimately finished 4th, making it the best result in the country's history. During the tournament, Markkanen surpassed 500 points scored in EuroBasket career, as the second Finnish player behind Timo Lampén. He was also named in the All-Tournament Second Team.