Fans react to 'humble' Lauri Markkanen playing disc golf with player unaware of his identity - "Man truly at home in the Mountain West" 

In recent years, Lauri Markkanen has developed into a star player in the NBA. Despite the league-wide notoriety he's received, his recent encounter suggests he hasn't yet become a household name.

Recently, one Reddit user posted about playing disc golf with Markkanen. What made the encounter so funny was that initially, he had no idea that he was playing with an NBA forward. Upon talking with him, the disc golf fan found out he was spending the day with a pro athlete.

Even though he didn't know who Lauri Markkanen was, he claimed that the Utah Jazz star was humble about the encounter.

I played disc golf with Lauri Markkanen byu/Cautious-Hurry6395 innba

NBA fans poured into the comment section with jokes about this chance encounter between a random bystander and the All-Star.

Reddit reaction No. 1

Reddit reactions No. 2

Reddit reactions No. 3

Reddit reactions No. 4

Coming off his best season in the pros in 2023, Markkanen saw a slight dip in production last year. He played in 55 games for the Jazz and averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 40% from beyond the arc.

After appearing in trade rumors for a portion of the offseason, the Jazz committed to Markkanen as a long-term piece in the roster. In August, he inked a four-year extension with the franchise worth $195.8 million.

---

The Utah Jazz always saw Lauri Markkanen as a long-term building block

Since being drafted No. 7 overall in 2017, Lauri Markkanen has had multiple stops in the NBA. He began his career with the Chicago Bulls before a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was then on the move again, as he was shipped to the Utah Jazz as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade.

Earlier this offseason, it looked as though Markkanen could be involved in another trade. There were numerous reports that the Golden State Warriors were very interested in acquiring him. As a young star in the prime of his career, he could have been Steph Curry's new sidekick as the team tries to stay competitive.

Despite countless rumors regarding Lauri Markkanen and the Warriors, reports last month suggest that the Jazz didn't have true intentions of moving him. According to Anthony Slater of "The Athletic":

"But it never reached that stage, team sources said," Slater wrote. "Markkanen signed an extension in Utah, and several sources from multiple inquiring teams said they believe, in retrospect, this was always the Jazz’s intended outcome. Markkanen’s true availability was a mirage."

While at his peak, Markkanen finds himself surrounded by a roster full of young talent. Now signed through the next five seasons, he'll be called upon to lead this group through the next phase of the franchise.