TAMPERE (Finland) - All eyes are on Lauri Markkanen when it comes to Finland’s hopes at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, but there's a new name stealing some of the headlines.
During the critical periods of the fourth quarter in Finland's gritty 93-90 win over Sweden on the opening day, it was a fresh-faced and emerging talent making his mark: Miikka Muurinen, aka 'Slim Jesus'.
"I'm just a confident guy. I want to be the best in everything that I do."
At only 18 years old, Muurinen is the youngest player in the tournament, but has already captured the hearts of Finnish supporters with his loud demeanor and confident approach - living up to his moniker.
"That's just who I am as a person," Muurinen said. "I'm just a confident guy. It's how I've lived my life - with confidence. I just want to be the best in everything that I do."
With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Sweden leading 79-75 on FIBA EuroBasket 2025 opening night, Finland's head coach, Lassi Tuovi, decided that the team needed Muurinen's confidence and energy on the floor.
Muurinen's impact on the game was instantaneous. It started with a key rebound following a miss inside from Pelle Larsson, which was followed a minute later by him scoring under the basket off his own missed three-pointer.
The Tampere Deck Arena then rose in unison as on their next possession, Slim Jesus soared for the two-handed slam. In just two minutes, Finland's four-point deficit became an 82-79 lead.
"Everyone has seen that he is an x-factor, lighting things up, and that's what we needed in that moment," Tuovi said of Muurinen.
"We needed [a] lift, and definitely he did the job, but I think that's typical in a close game that somebody is going to do something, so then others will follow, some will make shots. Miikka was bringing that good energy."
Muurinen added: "I wasn't thinking about the score at the time, I just wanted to go out there and help my team, do whatever I could.
"I got the energy from the crowd, and the teammates got their second wind at that point too. It was wild out there, but so much fun. I'm glad I could do something, anything."
"He's just getting started."
Muurinen made his senior tournament debut with the Susijengi at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Valencia, Spain, less than 12 months after a dominant showing at FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 with 16.9 points per game.
The Jarvenpaa native is attracting plenty of college interest in the US, and has now emulated his father Kimmo Muurinen in playing at EuroBasket.
The father-and-son duo have another thing in common: they both had Sasu Salin as a teammate.
Salin said of the teenage sensation: "Him and Lauri have a little bit of the same mindset, but Lauri kept it quiet; he just did a job. Miikka, not so much, but he carries himself in a way that's good. He seems like he's willing to learn.
"He's a bit of a loudmouth, the dude likes to talk, but what's good for him is when we're on the court, I don't think he's afraid of anything."
It didn't take long for Muurinen to come up in a big way on EuroBasket debut.
And, while it was Markkanen who took TCL Player of the Game honors with 28 points and 6 rebounds in the win, to the delight of the passionate crowd of 11,865, the Wolfpack leader was impressed with their young prodigy.
"He was great, he performed at a time when we needed him," Markkanen said.
"I'm looking forward to obviously being part of his career and journey, but I'm excited to see what he can achieve throughout. He's just getting started."
We're excited, too, and the basketball world will be watching closely to see what Muurinen does next.
FIBA