What’s Next for Miikka Muurinen? Finland’s Teen Prodigy Charts a Bold Path
Murrinen leaves high school early, chasing bigger competition and brighter lights across the Atlantic.
Miikka Muurinen: Finland’s Slim Jesus Faces a Career-Defining Choice
Finnish forward Miikka Muurinen has reached the first true crossroads of his basketball journey. Rather than return to AZ Compass for his senior season, the 6’11” prospect has opted to pursue professional options overseas — with Europe and Australia emerging as likely destinations. Partizan Belgrade is rumored to be in the lead, though nothing has been confirmed at the time of this writing.
By taking this leap, Muurinen not only turns the page on his high school career, but also positions himself at the center of a unique eligibility situation that could accelerate — or delay — his pathway to the NBA.
A Breakout Summer on the International Stage
Fresh off a strong EuroBasket 2025 campaign, Muurinen looks like the next Finnish star poised to follow in Lauri Markkanen’s footsteps. Markkanen, now the face of Finland’s basketball golden era, was selected seventh overall in the 2017 NBA Draft after one year at Arizona. Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was included in the draft-night trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota and Markkanen to Chicago. For Finnish prospects like Muurinen, Markkanen is both blueprint and inspiration.
At EuroBasket, Muurinen averaged 6.6 points per game while shooting 35% from three, showcasing athleticism, length, and timely highlight plays. His viral dunks captured attention, and his most impressive outing came in a semifinal loss to eventual champion Germany, where he poured in 12 points in just 18 minutes against a lineup stacked with former first-round picks.
NCAA Bluebloods Still Waiting
Even as he considers pro opportunities, Muurinen hasn’t closed the door on college. Programs like North Carolina, NC State, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, and Michigan have all extended offers. His track record on the EYBL circuit with Brad Beal Elite in 2024 — averaging 11.6 points per game on 50/35/69 shooting splits — showed his ability to adapt and improve, especially as a shooter. His decision not to play AAU in 2025 only added to the mystery of where his development was headed.
Flashes, Frustrations, and Teammate Comparisons
For all his upside, Muurinen’s journey has included growing pains. His lone season at Sunrise Christian exposed inconsistencies in his motor and playmaking. At times, he looked lost within the flow of the game, and his lack of rim protection raised questions about his defensive impact.
Even when I saw him firsthand at the Adidas Next Generation event in Dubai last year, the talent was undeniable — but the production left more to be desired. On that squad, he shared the floor with two high-profile prospects: French point guard Maxence Lemoine, considered one of the top guards in his country, and Joan Beringer, who was just selected 17th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves this past June. Against that level of competition, Muurinen too often faded into the background.
Strengths, Role, and Projection
Muurinen shined when placed in a complementary role. For Finland’s national team, he thrived as an energy piece: knocking down catch-and-shoot threes, finishing in transition, and playing above the rim. That may ultimately define his long-term role — a high-level athlete capable of spacing the floor and injecting energy off the bench. If the shooting gains hold, he could solidify himself as a first-round talent.
The 2026 draft class is shaping up to be top-heavy, led by three franchise-level talents: Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer. By comparison, the 2027 draft appears weaker, which makes Muurinen’s timeline all the more important. I currently rank him as a top-10 prospect in the 2026 high school class, and his decision to go pro or attend college will determine how quickly he can climb into the NBA conversation.
The Road Ahead
For now, Muurinen’s future hangs in the balance. Does he follow the European path of Neoklis Avdalas and Dame Sarr, turning pro early and betting on consistent playing time against professionals? Or does he take the NCAA route, sharpening his game in a structured college environment while building his draft stock?
Whichever option he chooses, one thing is clear: Miikka Muurinen’s next step will be the most important of his young career — and the basketball world will be watching.
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