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 has a brother, Eero Markkanen, who plays football. Lauri is known for his scoring ability and versatility on the court, becoming a key player for both his NBA team and his national team.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1967: Finland's Quarterfinal Appearance

In 2022, Lauri Markkanen led Finland to its first quarterfinal appearance in 55 years, the last being in 1967.

1995: Michael Jordan's opening-day points

Lauri Markkanen's season-opening performance tied a career-high with 35 points and 17 rebounds, marking the most opening-day points by a Chicago Bull since Michael Jordan achieved it in 1995.

2014: Moved to Helsinki and joined Helsinki Basketball Academy

In 2014, Lauri Markkanen moved to Helsinki and joined Helsinki Basketball Academy and played 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 with Finnish U-18 National Team

In 2015, Lauri Markkanen made his international debut with the Finnish U-18 national team at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.

2015: Represented Finland at FIBA U18 EuroBasket

In 2015, Lauri Markkanen represented Finland at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament and was 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.

2016: Represented Finland at FIBA U20 EuroBasket

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

2016: Signed Letter of Intent to Arizona

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

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 and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

March 2017: Career-high in Blocks

On 4 March 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 with the Chicago Bulls, worth $20.4 million.

October 2017: NBA Debut and Record

In October 2017, Lauri Markkanen made his NBA debut with the Bulls and scored 17 points, then set an NBA record for most 3-pointers in the first three games of an NBA career with ten 3-pointers.

2017: Declared for NBA Draft

In 2017, Lauri Markkanen announced his intention to enter the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.

2017: EuroBasket

In 2017, Lauri Markkanen played with the Finland senior national team at EuroBasket, averaging 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.

2017: Signed Nike sponsorship deal

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

January 2018: Career Leading Scorer Among NBA Players from Finland

After scoring seventeen points against the Milwaukee Bucks on 28 January 2018, Lauri Markkanen surpassed Hanno Möttölä as the career leading scorer among NBA players from Finland.

January 2018: Career-High Performance Against the Knicks

On January 10, 2018, Lauri Markkanen played a career-high 46 minutes and 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 2021: Season-High 31 Points

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

August 2021: Acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers

In August 2021, Lauri Markkanen was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team sign-and-trade deal.

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

On March 18, 2022, Lauri Markkanen scored a season-high 31 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets.

September 2022: Traded to the Utah Jazz

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

2022: Recorded Double-Doubles in Games Played

During the 2022 season, Lauri Markkanen recorded 28 double-doubles in 66 games played.

2022: EuroBasket Tournament 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. He averaged 27.9 points on 54.2 percent shooting and eight rebounds over seven games.

2022: Previous Record

On August 8, 2025, Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 48 points against Belgium, surpassing his previous record from 2022.

January 2023: Career-High 49 Points

In January 2023, Lauri Markkanen scored a career-high 49 points in a win against the Houston Rockets.

November 2023: Season-High Points and Rebounds

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

December 2023: Extended Nike deal

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

December 2023: Trade Possibilities

On 15 December 2023, it was reported that Lauri Markkanen was no longer 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 Most Improved Player Award and led Finland in the FIBA World Cup tournament.

2023: FIBA World Cup

In 2023, Lauri Markkanen played in the FIBA World Cup, averaging 24.8 points and 8 rebounds over five games.

August 2024: Signed Contract Extension with the Jazz

On 7 August 2024, Lauri Markkanen signed a five-year contract extension with the Jazz, worth $238 million, becoming 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 in a friendly win over Belgium, setting a Finland national team record, surpassing his previous record from 2022.

2025: EuroBasket Tournament Result

At the EuroBasket 2025, Lauri Markkanen averaged 23.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, leading Finland to a historic semi-final appearance and a 4th place finish, the best result in the country's history. He was also named in the All-Tournament Second Team.