Arizona basketball: 30 Greatest Wildcats of all time

Arizona Basketball Greatest Player No. 14 – Lauri Markkanen

Position: Power Forward

Years at Arizona: 2017

College Stats: 15.6 pts, 7.2 reb, 0.9 Ast, 0.4 stl, 0.5 blk

College Awards: 

2016 Nike Hoop Summit
2017 1st All-Pac-12 Team
2017 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team
2017 Wooden Award – Finalists

NBA Draft: 2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall Selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Years in the NBA: Two

NBA Awards: 

2018 NBA All-Rookie 1st team
2017 Finnish Player of the Year
2017 Fastest player to score 100 3-pointers in a season

The Finnisher, Lauri Markkenan, wasted no time gaining admiration in the NBA after one year of college basketball in Tucson. The 7-foot 240-pound versatile and exciting power forward from Finland. Lauri has rarely disappointed a fan base, from shooting and making three’s to rebounding and dunking the ball, he gets fans on their feet.

Most recently Markkanen earned a spot on the Rising Stars NBA All-Star team along with Deandre Ayton, the two had never played together. He was the fastest player and rookie to score 100 3-pointers in one season.

Even though his Bulls are in tank mode in the 2019 season, Lauri is the one player who never disappoints his fans. He is always smiling and happy and raising his son with his wife in Chicago. And he always seems relaxed and there to have a good time! It is just the beginning for Lauri.