Lauri Markkanen Named To First All-Star Team

SALT LAKE CITY – Lauri Markkanen will represent the Utah Jazz in front of a home crowd after being selected to his first All-Star team.

Markkanen was selected by the 30 NBA coaches as one of seven reserves out of the Western Conference.

The Finnish big man is in the midst of a standout year with the Jazz averaging a career-high 24.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 52 percent from the floor and 43 percent from three.

“I’m extremely happy to represent the Jazz here,” Markkanen said of earning the honor where he will play in front of the Utah crowd. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Related:  NBA Unveils All-Star Jerseys In Utah

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KSL Sports (@kslsports)

Markkanen is only the second player from Finland to reach the NBA, joining former University of Utah star Hanno Möttölä, and the first to earn an All-Star nod.

“We grew up watching the All-Star game, too, even though it’s not the normal basketball game,” Markkanen said of his upbringing in Finland. “That was fun to see a lot of dunks and stuff like that it was a cool thing to watch — so I’m extremely happy to be part of it.”

Jazz Swapped One All-Star For Another

The Jazz acquired Markkanen along with guard Collin Sexton, and significant draft compensation in exchange for Donovan Mitchell in September.

The former seventh overall pick out of Arizona, Markkanen began his career with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2021.

Lauri Markkanen’s full press conference discussing being named to his first All-Star game.#TakeNote | @utahjazz pic.twitter.com/Ri63FbNEI3

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 3, 2023

After just one season in Cleveland, Markkanen joined the Jazz and quickly assumed the starring role in Mitchell’s absence.

The versatile forward has elevated his game since the Jazz began his All-Star campaign in December. Markkanen has scored 20 points or more in 19 straight games, becoming just the fourth player in Jazz history to do so.

Markkanen’s true breakout happened before even joining the Jazz. Last summer the forward was one of the top players at the FIBA EuroBasket tournament averaging 27.9 points and 8.1 rebounds while leaving Finland to the Quarterfinals.

“When I seen him playing at [EuroBasket], I thought he was going to be an All-Star honestly coming in here. That was my expectation, I didn’t expect nothing less.”

🇫🇮 𝐎𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐢 𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢 🇫🇮

The Finnisher earns his first career All-Star selection in his sixth NBA season. #TakeNote | @markkanenlauri

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 3, 2023

After trading Mitchell and Rudy Gobert during the offseason, the Jazz were expected to enter a long rebuild process. However, Markkanen’s rapid progression along with the hiring of head coach Will Hardy has greatly accelerated the Jazz timeline.

“Lauri’s done such a good job of continuing to work on different ways that can impact the game offensively,” Hardy said of Markkanen’s growth. “He’s shown the ability to shoot the ball but I think the physicality that he’s played with driving the ball, and the physicality that he’s played with as a screener that has given him an opportunity to score in a variety of ways.”

Markkanen’s selection marks four consecutive seasons that the Jazz have had an All-Star, and the eighth All-Star nod over the last four years.

Related: Travis Scott To Help Finalize Jazz All-Star Plans

Both Mitchell and Gobert were named to the previous three All-Star teams as members of the Jazz, while Mike Conley was chosen as a reserve in 2021.

The All-Star game will be held at Vivint Arena on February 19. Jazz rookie Walker Kessler was also selected to represent the team in the Rising Stars Challenge.

Western Conference All-Star Team:

Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans
Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets

Reserves

Ja Morant – Memphis Grizzlies
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Oklahoma City Thunder
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
Lauri Markkanen – Utah Jazz
Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings
Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies

Eastern Conference All-Star Team:

Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets
Donovan Mitchell – Cleveland Cavaliers
Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics
Kevin Durant – Brookyln Nets
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks

Reserves

Jrue Holiday – Milwaukee Bucks
Tyrese Haliburton – Indiana Pacers
DeMar DeRozan – Chicago Bulls
Jaylen Brown – Boston Celtics
Julius Randle – New York Knicks
Bad Adebayo – Miami Heat
Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.

Follow @benshoops