Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls is representing his country of Finland in the FIBA World 2019 Qualifiers in only one way he knows how, the “finnish” way.
The Finnisher! One of the premier big men in the NBA has been strutting his stuff overseas for Finland in the FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers. Only 21 years of age, Lauri Markkanen is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. He can do it all and isn’t afraid to ‘finnish’ at the rim with authority!
From his playing time with the Arizona Wildcats to the Chicago Bulls and now for his home country, Markkanen is more than proving to himself and the rest of the world why they call him The Finnisher! He won many awards with the Wildcats, set records with the Bulls and looks to bring his country that much looks to capture a FIBA World Cup title!
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After having an incredible rookie season with the Bulls, he will be looking to raise the bar even higher his sophomore year. With the addition of their 7th pick in the first round, Wendell Carter Jr of Duke, the Bulls hope to have a much better season than last.
They finished with an overall record of 27-55, 13th in the Eastern Conference and only had a better record than 5 other teams in the league. The talent was there, it’s just a matter of time before everyone is on the same page and they start winning more games.
Markkanen has played in two games for Finland during the FIBA World Cup and is the team leader in points and rebounds. He is averaging 20.5 points per game and 7 rebounds per game. In a 91-77 win over Finland, he was on fire!
https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1013865778783903744
Markkanen also knows a thing or two about dunking the ball. As a Wildcat, he had a ‘few’ dunks that were nice, but on the professional level he has taken it up a notch. Whether it’s the dedication he has put into strength and conditioning or just having more confidence, he now finishes with absolute authority on his dunks!
It’s one thing to dunk a ball, but it’s another thing to dunk the ball the way Markkanen does. For a 7 footer to do what he does his simply breathtaking to watch. Don’t believe me, watch this dunk he had, wow!
Lauri Markkanen once again, absolutely destroying rims #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/BYV3u0nDT1
— Locked On Bulls (@LockedOnBulls) June 26, 2018
Finland finished overall with nine points, three wins and three losses and advanced to the second record of the FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers. They will face off against Bosnia and Herzegovina on September 13.
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At Zona Zealots, we would like to congratulate Markkanen and the country of Finland advancing in the FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers. We look forward to seeing many more ‘finnishes’ by the 7 footer.