History of Lauri Markkanen in Timeline

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.

May 1997: Lauri Markkanen Born

In May 1997, Lauri Elias Markkanen was born. He is a Finnish professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz and the Finland national team.

Others born on this day/year

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.

January 2017: Recognized as top shooter and Pac-12 Player of the Week

In January 2017, Lauri Markkanen was regarded as the best shooting 7-footer in college basketball and was selected as Pac-12 Player of the Week and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week.

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.

March 2017: All-American Team Selection

On March 6, 2017, Lauri Markkanen was selected to the third team All-American team by multiple media outlets and was a first team All-Pac-12 selection.

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.

February 2018: Birth of first child

In February 2018, Lauri Markkanen and his wife Verna Aho had their first child, a son.

May 2018: Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team

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

October 2020: Birth of second child

In October 2020, Lauri Markkanen and his wife Verna Aho had their second child.

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.

April 17, 2023: Began Military Service

On April 17, 2023, Lauri Markkanen began his compulsory military service at the military base of Santahamina in Helsinki, Finland.

April 24, 2023: Named NBA Most Improved Player

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

September 29, 2023: Finished Military Service

On September 29, 2023, Lauri Markkanen finished his compulsory military service.

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: Returned to Line-Up After Hamstring Injury

After suffering a hamstring injury and missing eight games, Lauri Markkanen returned to line-up on December 14, 2023.

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: Finnish Athlete of the Year

In 2023, Lauri Markkanen was named the Finnish Athlete of the Year, becoming the first basketball player to ever win the award.

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.

October 2024: Guest at Utah Hockey Club Inaugural Game

On October 8, 2024, Lauri Markkanen was a featured guest during the Utah Hockey Club's inaugural NHL game. He participated in the ceremonial opening puck drop with owner Ryan Smith.