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31 August, 2019
15 September
23 Lauri Markkanen (FIN)
13/11/2018
News
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Markkanen treasures special feeling and goosebumps of wearing Finland jersey

CHICAGO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Lauri Markkanen gets a special feeling any time he lines up for Finland, and the forward hopes he can play for the Susijengi at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

Markannen made his senior national team debut last summer at the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 with Finland co-hosting the tournament. The 21-year-old then played in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers for the first time in June and July window and averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in a loss at Czech Republic and home victory over Iceland.

"You can't explain the feeling, just having your whole country behind you. I definitely get goosebumps every time," said Markkanen, who averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in the EuroBasket.

Markkanen's comments came in an interview which is part of the Dare to Dream series. These videos showcase basketball stars’ views and experiences when representing their country, sharing the reasons why playing for the national team is so special. Click here to watch all the videos.


The 7ft 0in (2.13m) big man played four times for Finland at the youth level, twice at Division A, including at the FIBA U20 European Championship 2016 at home, where he averaged 24.9 points and 8.6 rebounds.

"With the junior teams I've been doing it for many years now, but it’s a special feeling putting on a national team jersey - definitely one of my dreams when I was growing up," the Vantaa native said.

Finland are fighting for a spot at next summer’s global spectacle, which would be the second straight World Cup for which the Nordic country has qualified. The Finns rank fourth in Group K of the European Qualifiers, even on record with third placed Russia at 4-4 with four games to go.


"I can't imagine how it's going to be when the actual World Cup is here," Markkanen said. "I don't know who's going to win. I know that Team USA is a favorite, but anybody can beat anybody, actually. We'll see."

It's hard to imagine that Markkanen was still in college in 2017 at Arizona and already has become an undisputed leader of the Finnish national team and a budding star with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.

"Everything's been happening so fast. I've been enjoying the process, but you have to be focused on every day because that’s where it starts," Markkanen said. "I want to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be and that’s what motivates me."

He is obviously also motivated by a chance to play next summer at China 2019.

Watch Kevin Love, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum and Markelle Fultz explaining why they love to represent their country on the Dare to Dream series here.

FIBA