By Lee Altman
It started with a basketball curfew. There would be no shooting or dribbling before 7 a.m.or after 10 p.m. Pekka and Riikka Markkanen were adamant; Aayoung Lauri would have to confine his love to those 15 hours a day when his play wouldn’t keep up his parents and two brothers.
Years later, his parents have no such restriction for Lauri. On Thursday night, Markkanen donned a Minnesota Timberwolves cap as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that he had been selected with the seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft. In doing so, Minnesota made Markkanen the highest drafted Finnish player ever
Markkanen’s young basketball career took a greater twist when it was announced that the Chicago Bulls had traded All-Star Jimmy Butler and the 16th pick in the Draft to the Timberwolves for Merkkanen, Zach Levine, and Kris Dunn.
Markkanen was just as surprised as everyone else to find out that he would be headed to Chicago.
“I didn’t have any idea that was going to happen,” Markkanen said. “I heard [about] it right before the pick happened.”
Markkanen first entered many scouts radar in 2014 when he participated in Basketball without Borders in Rome, Italy and then later at the first annual BWB Global Camp during NBA All-Star Weekend 2015 in New York City.
This past year, Markkanen played at the University of Arizona. His arsenal of silky shots was on full display as he averaged 1.2 points per pick-and-pop possession. Markkanen’s 69 3-point field goals during the season were the most by any 7-footer in the past 20 years. He averaged 15.6 points on 42% shooting from three to go along with 7.2 rebounds on the season.
Markkanen’s ability to stretch the floor has drawn comparisons to fellow international player Dirk Nowitzki. Markkanen is the newest member of a breed of versatile, finesse forwards who can space the court with their shooting:
“I know the game is changing all the time, so there’s more and more big guys who can shoot the ball and stretch the floor.”
Markkanen said that he is ready to take on a heavy workload from the get-go and is excited to start his new chapter with the Bulls.
“I’m really honored to be part of this organization, and can’t wait to go there and do what I can. It’s just a blessing to be here,” Markkanen said. “And of course Michael Jordan, greatest player ever to play [played there], so it’s huge to be a part of it.”
Markkanen’s national pride was also on full display as he flashed a Finnish flag embroidered on the inside of his suit jacket.
“That’s a big thing for me, for my country, just because it’s been a little while since there’s been a Finnish player on the court. I take a lot of pride in that.”
Asked about adjusting to Chicago, Markkanen pointed out that the weather was similar to that of his native country. After living as an international student-athlete in the 100+ degree temperature of Arizona, Markkanen feels confident about overcoming any challenges await.
“I really don’t know how is it [in Chicago], but I’m prepared for everything just coming all the way from Finland,” Markkanen said with a smile. and a chuckle. “Arizona and Finland, they’re quite opposite, so [moving forward] I think I’m going to be good!”
