Lauri Markkanen, born on 22nd May 1997, is a Finnish basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz. Growing up in Jyvaskyla, Finland, Markkanen had a primal love for basketball and played for the local team there. He played for HBA-Marsky, a second-tier Finnish league team for a while before deciding that moving to the United States would be best for his basketball career. Markkanen transferred to the Arizona Wildcats where he played one season. He earned All-Pac12 First-team honors and after playing just one season for them, Markkanen declared for the NBA draft.
Markkanen was selected with the 7th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. His draft rights were then transferred to the Chicago Bulls in a blockbuster trade that involved sending Zach Lavine to the Chicago Bulls. Markkanen had a solid rookie season, having multiple games of scoring over 30-plus points. He ended his rookie season averaging 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds and also recorded 14 double-doubles. He was named to the All-Rookie First-Team for his stellar season. Markkanen missed the first 23 games of the next season with an ongoing injury and only played 52 games that season. He averaged 18.7 points and 9 rebounds that season. Slowly, but surely, Markkanen’s development saturated and he was moved to the second unit where his minutes and touches were reduced. In the middle of the 2020-21 season, Markkanen was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a mid-season deal. Markkanen played only one season, averaging 14.8 points and 5.3 rebounds. Along with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, they formed the trio of ‘Tower City’, where everyone in their frontcourt was over 7 feet.
After the 2021-22 NBA season, Markkanen was traded to the Utah Jazz in a deal centered around Donovan Mitchell. Markkanen had his breakout year with the Utah Jazz, averaging 24.1 points and 8.3 rebounds, and was also named a first-time all-star. Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz management have committed to rebuilding around Markkanen and the future looks bright for him.
Lauri Markkanen’s Age
Lauri Markkanne is currently only 26 years of age. He is in the prime of his NBA career and can look to stamp himself as one of the best players in the league next season. As of today, Markkanen is serving his compulsory service in the Finnish military which every man must do before turning 30. He is also expected to represent Finland in the upcoming FIBA World Cup. With everything lining up for Markkanen basketball-wise, it is only a matter of time before we see multiple all-star and all-NBA selections from him.
FAQs
A. Lauri Markkanen currently plays for the Utah Jazz.
A. Lauri Markkanen has played for the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Chicago Bulls.
A. Lauri Markkanen is 26 years of age.
A. Lauri Markkanen is from Finland.
A. Lauri Markkanen is listed as a Power Forward.
