The Finland national basketball team is relatively a pretty new team to enter the scene at the FIBA World Cup. With just their second appearance at the FIBA World Cup, the Finnish team looks to scale new heights. Their 22nd-place finish in 2014 definitely left sour tastes in the mouths of the Finnish team members and to add insult to injury, Finland did not even qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. With a rejuvenated roster, Finland looks to make some noise in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The Finnish 2023 FIBA World Cup squad includes Lauri Markkanen, Mikael Jantunen, Shawn Huff, Sasu Salin, Edon Maxhuni, Alexander Madsen, Elias Valtonen, Topias Palmi, Petteri Koponen, Henri Kantonen, Miro Little, and Ilari Seppala.
Finland will be playing in Group E, with Germany, Australia, and Japan. All the games for Group E will be held in Okinawa, Japan. Finland will kick start its FIBA World Cup campaign against Australia on 25th August.
Finnish players in the NBA
There are not any players in the NBA that have come from Finnish origin, the only notable player to do so is Lauri Markkanen.
Lauri Markkanen: Lauri Markkanen, nicknamed “The Finnisher”, is possibly the greatest NBA player to come from Finland. The most recent recipient of the Most Improved Player award, the former lottery pick is slowly but surely living up to his standards. Markkannen was an all-star the past season and is also the face of a Utah Jazz franchise that is committed to a rebuild. Being just 27 years of age, the sky is the limit for Lauri Markkanen as he can go on to be one of the greatest European players in the NBA.
Finland has the talent and the skill level to produce some great NBA players and with the global reach and popularity of the NBA worldwide, it is only a matter of time before Finland produces more NBA players. At this point, however, Finland’s main concern would be to perform well at the FIBA World Cup, gaining some national exposure in the eyes of some NBA scouts.
FAQs
A. Yes, Lauri Markkanen is the only notable Finnish player to play in the NBA.
A. Finland will be playing in Group E along with Australia, Japan, and Germany.
A. The FIBA World Cup will tip-off on August 25th with the first match played between Italy and Angola.
A. No, Steph Curry is not expected to represent Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.
