Lauri Markkanen’s evolution from a promising stretch big to an NBA All-Star and franchise cornerstone for the Utah Jazz is one of the league’s most remarkable recent stories. The 28-year-old power forward from Jyväskylä, Finland, was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2017 draft after a single season at the University of Arizona. Known initially as the “Finnish Nowitzki” for his smooth shooting stroke at 7 feet tall, Markkanen showed steady growth in Chicago and Cleveland before a transformative trade to Utah in 2022 unlocked his full potential. In the 2022-23 season, he exploded onto the scene, averaging career highs across the board and earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award as well as his first All-Star selection. His main honors now include the MIP trophy and an All-Star nod, and he led Finland to its first-ever Olympic berth in 2024. With a unique blend of size, perimeter skill, and improved aggression, Markkanen has become the face of the Jazz rebuild, a walking mismatch who can score from anywhere on the court and carry an offensive load.