Under Markkanen’s leadership, the Utah Jazz are currently one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning eight of their last 10 games.
basketball player lauri markkanen was named Finland’s Athlete of the Year in 2023.
Markkanen has worked his way up the ranks of the NBA, the game’s elite league. This latest award follows Markkanen, a native of Jyväskylä, being selected to the NBA All-Star Game, winning the Most Valuable Player Award and becoming FIBA’s leading scorer. World Cup.
“This award means a lot to me. I’m the first basketball player to achieve this award and I’m trying to blaze a trail. With passion, you can accomplish great things. When you keep practicing, great things happen. ” commented Markkanen. his acceptance speech.
The Sports Journalists Association has awarded the Athlete of the Year title since 1947. A list of 10 finalists will be drawn up and members of the association with press cards will be able to vote. Lauri Markkanen is the 77th athlete and first basketball player to win this award.
“I am honored to receive this award because I know how tough Finnish role models and athletes are. It means a lot to me to be on the list of winners. Forgetting the boundaries between sports , let’s move Finnish sport as a whole forward.”
Markkanen, nicknamed “The Finn,” began his career with HBA-Marski in Finland’s second division before moving to the United States to play college basketball with the University of Arizona Wildcats. After playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Markkanen joined the Utah Jazz in 2022, where he experienced a career resurgence.
After a great season in the NBA, Markkanen returned to Finland for military service last year.
2023 Winners List
This year’s breakthroughs: Marti Puumalainen,judo
Most active municipality this year: Poly
Most active workplace: Mehilainen
Sports Manager of the Year: Erki Alaja
This year’s background strength: Harri Shuvasalmi
Young Athlete of the Year: Saga VanninenAthletics
Role model of the year: Finnish Davis Cup team, tennis
Coach of the Year: gordon herbert,basketball
Sports club of the year: Turku Sports Association
Team of the Year: Davis Cup Team, Tennis
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