Lauri Markkanen's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Lauri Markkanen.

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

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.

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.

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.

May 2018: Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team

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

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 24, 2023: Named NBA Most Improved Player

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

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.

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.