Lauri Markkanen is a prominent NBA player, known for his scoring skill and impactful performances. Drafted 7th in 2017, he has played for several teams, including the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz. Markkanen’s career highlights include averaging 27.0 points during the 2022-23 season and earning the Most Improved Player award. Hailing from a sports-oriented family, his strong support system has been essential to his success. There’s much more to uncover about his path and achievements.
Early Life
Lauri Markkanen, the son of former professional basketball player Pekka Markkanen, began developing his basketball skills at the Helsinki Academy during his childhood. His early exposure to the sport set the stage for his future successes.
Markkanen later played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats, where he made a remarkable impact by averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his freshman season. His impressive performance earned him Third Team All-American honors and a spot on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
Furthermore, Markkanen represented Finland in international competitions, particularly shining at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, where he averaged 19.5 points per game, contributing to his team’s strong performance.
Family Life
Lauri Markkanen hails from a sports-oriented family, being the son of former basketball player Pekka Markkanen, who played at Kansas and professionally in Finland.
He values his close-knit family, often engaging in leisure activities such as watching hockey and playing video games with his loved ones.
This strong family bond has been instrumental in shaping Lauri’s basketball path, providing steadfast support that fuels his passion and dedication to the sport.
Career
Lauri Markkanen was drafted 7th in the 2017 NBA Draft and has played 450 games for four teams: the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and currently the Utah Jazz.
Throughout his 8-year career, he has scored a total of 13,958 points, averaging 15.7 points per game.
A career highlight came during the 2022-23 season when he averaged 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, earning him the Most Improved Player award.
As of the 2024-25 season, Markkanen is averaging 19.0 points per game, demonstrating his continued growth and impact in the league.
Net Worth
Lauri Markkanen’s net worth is estimated at $69,816,030, primarily from his NBA career.
Over his 8-year tenure in the league, Markkanen has earned considerable salaries, including $17,259,999 in 2024, $6,178,920 in 2023, $6,396,000 in 2022, $4,200,000 in 2021, and $4,000,000 in 2020.
His lucrative contracts and endorsements from teams like the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Utah Jazz have solidified his financial standing in the league.