Markkanen received many honors following his freshman season. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and a third-team All-American, among others.
DraftExpress.comΒ projects Markkanen to be taken with the seventh overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft. Β Β
Regardless of where he's actually selected, Markkanen will likely enjoy a long, successful career in the NBA.Β
The well-respected Henrik Dettman, the coach of Finland's senior team, even predicted it. He said the following about Lauri last summer:Β
"We are really excited about having him in the men's national team this summer and having him going to Arizona to play college basketball because that is also going to give him a new view and new experience of how the game is," Dettman told FIBA.com. "College basketball is different. The speed of the game is different, the way they play is different and this experience will give him a wider base when it is time to go to the next level.
"The next level is, of course, the NBA. But to make it to the NBA, that's nothing. You have to make it in the NBA, then you are something.
"I think Lauri has the talent to be a good, I would say All-Star player."
It was a fun ride for the Finnish 7-footer, but now it's on to bigger and better things. The next level awaits.Β
β Bruce Pascoe
