Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Lauri Elias Markkanen, born on May 22, 1997, in Vantaa, Finland, is a Finnish professional basketball player known for his versatility as a forward.

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Lauri Elias Markkanen
  • Nickname: The Finnisher
  • Nationality: Finnish
  • Date of Birth: May 22, 1997
  • Hometown: Vantaa, Finland
  • Height: 7’1″ (2.16 m)
  • Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7’0″
  • Shoe Size: US 16
  • Jersey Number:
    • #10 — Arizona Wildcats
    • #24 — Chicago Bulls
    • #24 — Cleveland Cavaliers
    • #23 — Utah Jazz
  • Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
  • High School: Helsinki Basketball Academy (Helsinki, Finland)
  • College: Arizona (2016–2017)
  • NBA Draft: 2017 — Round 1, Pick 7 — Minnesota Timberwolves (rights traded to Chicago Bulls)
  • Player Archetype: Stretch four scoring forward
  • Primary Offensive Role: Pick-and-pop shooter, spacing scorer, secondary isolation mismatch
  • Defensive Role: Size-based team defender, weakside rebounder, switchable frontcourt defender
  • Play Style: Tall perimeter scorer who operates off movement, spot-ups, and attacking closeouts
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Fluid straight-line athlete, mobile for size, vertical pop in space, not explosive laterally
  • Recruiting Status: 2016 top European prospect; Arizona one-and-done commit
  • Draft Status Detail: Lottery pick with elite shooting profile; viewed as best shooting big in class
  • Injury Status Category: Generally healthy starter (past minor durability fluctuations)
  • Career Stage: Prime All-Star level forward
  • Comparison Style: Dirk Nowitzki lite / tall scoring wing-forward hybrid
  • Teams Played For:
    • Chicago Bulls (2017–2021)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (2021–2022)
    • Utah Jazz (2022–present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Parents: Pekka Markkanen (former pro basketball player), Riikka Markkanen (former basketball player)
  • Children: Three children (with wife Verna Aho)
  • Siblings: Miikka Markkanen, Eero Markkanen (professional footballer)
  • Athlete Relatives: Father and mother both former basketball players; brother Eero professional soccer player
  • Retirement Age: Not retired
  • Retirement Year: N/A

Player Archetype / Play Style

Markkanen’s player archetype is a stretch-four scoring forward built around elite perimeter shooting at seven-foot size, operating primarily as a spacing weapon who punishes mismatches. Defensively he functions more as a positional team defender than a rim protector, using length and size to rebound, switch selectively, and hold ground against bigger forwards. Offensively he thrives in pick-and-pop actions, spot-ups, and transition trailers, while also attacking hard closeouts and occasionally working isolation mismatches against smaller defenders. His physical traits — 7’1″ height, high release, fluid mobility, and guard-like shooting mechanics — shape a play style centered on off-ball movement, quick-trigger threes, and scoring versatility without heavy on-ball creation. The overall play style blends tall-wing scoring with traditional stretch-big spacing, making him a matchup-driven offensive focal point. (Wikipedia)

Sources:
Wikipedia — Lauri Markkanen
Sports Forecaster — Lauri Markkanen
Sports Illustrated — Lauri Markkanen scouting report
RealGM — Lauri Markkanen NBA profile