An NBA All-Star plans to fulfill his duty to his native country.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen revealed in an interview with Ramona Shelburne of ESPN this week that he will be performing military service in his native Finland this summer. Service in the Finnish military is mandatory for all male citizens of the country and must be completed prior to the age of 30. Markkanen turns 26 years old later this year.
“It’s mandatory, we have to do it, but at the same time we take pride in it, too,” Markkanen explained. “I think it sets an example to serve. And I’m confident I can do it in a way that it’s not going to affect my preparation for next season, either.
“Of course I’d rather be working out like I normally do [in the offseason], but I’ve heard they do a good job of combining the two,” he continued on. “You’re able to do your job working as an athlete and your basic training at the same time.”
Markkanen is scheduled to report to a military base in the southern part of Helsinki on Apr. 17 or some time in July (depending on when Utah’s season ends). You can read Shelburne’s full report on Markkanen’s situation here.
The seven-footer is in the midst of his best season in the NBA. He leads Utah with 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, numbers good enough for his first career All-Star nod in February.
Markkanen was born in Finland and played professionally in the country from 2014-16. He then jumped to the United States, playing one season in college at Arizona before he was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. Markkanen has already had many memorable moments in his pro basketball career, but will embark on a patriotic summer upcoming.
