The Finnish basketball star who surpassed Kimi Räikkönen in earnings
In short: Lauri Markkanen is rewriting the history of Finnish sports. From the courts of Jyväskylä to the NBA, the 'Finnisher' has become the first Nordic-born All-Star and the highest-earning Finnish athlete in history, breaking records that once belonged to Formula 1 legend Kimi Räikkönen.
Born in Vantaa and raised in Jyväskylä, Markkanen’s ascent was rapid. After dominating the FIBA U18 and U20 EuroBasket tournaments as the top scorer, he moved to the United States to play for the Arizona Wildcats. His collegiate performance was so impactful that he was regarded as the best shooting 7-footer in college basketball history, leading to him being selected seventh overall in the 2017 NBA draft.
His professional journey has been defined by versatility and resilience. After being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Chicago Bulls on draft night, he set an NBA record for the most three-pointers in the first three games of a career. Following a stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers—where he was part of a unique 'Tower City' lineup that challenged the NBA's small-ball trends—he joined the Utah Jazz in September 2022.
With the Jazz, Markkanen achieved a career resurgence, winning the 2022–23 NBA Most Improved Player Award and earning his first All-Star selection. In 2023, he made history as the first basketball player to be named the Finnish Athlete of the Year. His financial success reached a new peak in August 2024 when he signed a five-year, $238 million contract extension, officially becoming the highest-earning Finnish athlete ever.
Despite his individual success, his career has faced the complexities of professional league dynamics. During his time with the Jazz, the franchise faced NBA fines—including a $100,000 fine and a $500,000 fine in February 2026—for sitting out star players like Markkanen during periods of 'tanking'.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Lauri Markkanen
- Also: Wikidata — Lauri Markkanen · CC0
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