Tim Legler tells NBA fans to watch out for ‘crazy’ prospect exactly like Lauri Markkanen, ‘He’s the next guy’

Tim Legler excited by Finland prospect Miikka Muurinen

Finland lack strength in depth compared to many other European teams, but Markkanen does have a future NBA player alongside him.

18-year-old Miikka Muurinen has impressed in limited playing time for Finland at EuroBasket, and NBA fans should take note.

The power forward, who plays similarly to Markkanen, is expected to enter the NBA Draft in the next two seasons.

“There’s a guy on their team, and I’ve seen three of their games, mainly because I’m watching Markkanen, Miikka Muurinen,” Legler said. “He’s the next guy for them. They really hype him up, and you can see why.

“He’s still a teenager, I believe. It’s crazy because you’ve got Lauri Markkanen and Miikka Muurinen… off the bat, you’ve got these names, and they’re the same physical profile. He’s like 6’11” and built exactly the same.

“Think about this: Markkanen has been around for a while and done some things in the league; he has put up big numbers; he’s obviously a hero in Finland. This kid has probably been trying to be Lauri Markkanen his whole life. ‘This is the player I want to be like.’

“It’s crazy because he has very similar physical dimensions, and he’s a prospect. He has great confidence and aggressiveness.

“They’re not playing him a ton, I think he played 14 minutes in this game, but when he has played, you really notice him because he’s extremely active, and he’s really long. He’s so young. I’m really excited and interested to see what he can become five years from now.”

Early NBA Draft analysis on Miikka Muurinen

Miikka Muurinen is already based in the United States and attended the Arizona Compass Prep School last season.

He will soon have to decide which college to attend for the upcoming season, with his main focus being his development into an NBA prospect.

NBA Draft Room currently projects that he will be the second overall pick in 2027 behind Kentucky-born Tyan Stokes.

Their draft analysis reads: “Muurinen is a highly skilled and mobile big man from Finland who is one of the best prospects in his class and looks like a future first-round pick.

“He’s a talented offensive player who can dribble, pass, and shoot the ball. He has a really solid 6-10 frame and has very good quickness and mobility for a player his size. He runs the floor well and is an overall smooth athlete.

“He has a nice face-up game and can break defenders down with the dribble and get into the lane, or find his mid-range jumper.

“He has good hops and is a powerful dunker. He is always a threat on backdoor lobs and put-backs. Has emerged as a really, really good player and a likely high NBA draft pick.”