Basketball | Lauri Markkanen Hosts NBA Stars and Owner in Helsinki: "This Will Be Really Fun"

Finnish basketball sensation Lauri Markkanen is bringing a star-studded contingent from his NBA team, the Utah Jazz, to Helsinki. The group includes fellow players and the team's owner, who are in Finland to witness Markkanen compete for the national team, Susijengi, in an upcoming game against Iceland.

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith posted a picture on his X account showing him posing with Markkanen, guard Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jazz head coach Will Hardy outside a Helsinki restaurant. Smith captioned the image "Helsinki travel guide," indicating their visit to the Finnish capital. Markkanen shared the post on his own account, expressing his excitement about hosting them, stating, "Great to have you guys here. This is going to be really fun!"

Smith, a successful businessman and co-founder of the software company Qualtrics, became the majority owner of the Utah Jazz in 2020. He also owns the NHL team Utah Mammoth. His presence in Helsinki underscores the high regard for Markkanen within the Jazz organization and highlights the growing international interest in Finnish basketball.

The Finnish national team, Susijengi, is scheduled to play against Iceland on Friday at the Espoo Metro Areena. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m., with Markkanen expected to be a key player for his team.

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Great to have you guys here. This is going to be really fun!