Former Arizona Wildcats taking part in the 2018 NBA All-Star event

Lauri Markkanen – Kickstart Rising Stars game and Taco Bell Skills Challenge

In only his first season in the NBA, Chicago Bulls rookie Markkanen has already made a name for himself.  He has achieved multiple records at the half way mark, including the becoming the fastest ever in NBA history to score 100 three-pointers, doing so in 41 games. To put that feat into perspective, it took Stephen Curry 58 games to do so.

For the season, Markkanen is averaging 15.7 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game. He is shooting 36.5% from 3-point range and 52% from the field. Those are NBA All-Star stats!

For his accomplishments, he has been selected to be part of the world team and represent Finland in Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars. This event is made of first and second-year players, from the United States and all over the world, facing off against one another. Markkanen will be playing alongside highly talented players, including Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Dillion Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies.

https://twitter.com/MarkkanenLauri/status/956567475033911296

Markkanen will also be taking part in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge alongside versatility skilled players, such as Joel Embid and defending champion Kristaps Porzingis. This challenge will test the players in multiple categories: ball handling, passing, lay up or dunk and three-point shooting. Markkanen is such a versatile player; he has a very good chance of winning.

And if things couldn’t get better for The Finnisher, he just became a father this past week with the birth of his baby boy. Congrats Lauri!