TUCSON, Ariz. – Head coach Sean Miller and the University of Arizona Wildcats have received a national letter of intent from 7-foot forward Lauri Markkanen from Jyväskylä, Finland. Markkanen will join the Wildcats as part of the freshmen class of the 2016-17 season.
“We are elated to add Lauri Markkanen as part of the future of our program,” said head coach Sean Miller. “Lauri is a 7-foot forward with an offensive skill level that allows him to score both on the perimeter and in the low post. He led the extremely-competitive FIBA U18 European Championships in scoring this past summer while representing his home country of Finland. That performance demonstrates his unique blend of talents that make him such a special player.”
The decorated Finnish standout represented his country in both the FIBA U16 and U18 European Championships. Markkanen led all players in the 2015 U18 European Championships in scoring at 18.2 points game while also grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game. His play this past summer in Greece was highlighted by his 27-point, 10-rebound performance in Finland's win over the Ukraine.
“Lauri is also an exceptional student, a high-character person and a basketball player that loves the game,” Miller noted. “He will impact our program both on and off the court from the moment he arrives in Tucson.”
Lauri Markkanen is the son of Pekka Markkanen who lettered in basketball at Kansas University before playing professionally in Finland and on Finland's national team.
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| Lauri Markannen (Photo: Basket.Fi News) |