By Sean Savage
@SeanSav13
In the depths of Järvenpää, Finland, Miikka Muurinen’s name was barely a whisper in the basketball world. The 6-foot-10 lanky forward was unknown to most – his talent remained a hidden gem in the quiet streets of his hometown.
However, that all changed with one breakthrough performance.
Rising from an unranked prospect to ESPN’s No. 4 ranking in the class of 2026, Muurinen’s stock soared. He averaged 17.8 points per game and shot over 60 percent from the floor at the 2023 Nike EYBL Peach Jam, a performance that defined his blossoming career.
Following his dominant showing, Muurinen was dubbed the “biggest riser” after the event, one of the most prestigious in the club basketball circuit.
“He’s maturing, he’s a kid and a lot has been thrown at him in a short amount of time,” Arizona Prep head coach Peter Kaffey said. “He doesn’t have any family here, but the kid has been working hard and getting better.”
It’s uncertain whether Muurinen’s rapid ascent would’ve occurred had he not moved to Arizona Compass Prep ahead of the 2023-24 season. Historically, Finnish players have been scarce on both the NCAA and NBA hardwood. As of the 2023-24 season, there are only a handful of Finnish players in NCAA Division I programs, and Lauri Markkanen remains the only Finnish NBA player.
In a country where basketball talent is rare at the highest levels, Muurinen’s rise to national stardom has taken fans, pundits and social media by storm.
“It all happened so fast,” Muurinen said. “It was crazy, I pretty much gained 20,000 followers over a couple months – it’s cool, I love it.”
As the 2024-25 season ensued, Muurinen proved his success at Peach Jam wasn’t a fluke. His name continued to surge across national rankings with each passing tournament, including a 2026 Top 10 rank from 247Sports and being named the No. 1 player in Arizona.
Muurinen’s game blends size and skill, allowing him to swiftly get to his spots on the floor and gracefully elevate over his opponents, often taller or more athletic than most he faces. The Scandinavian is especially dangerous in pick-and-pop situations, where his shooting touch stretches defenses. On the other end of the floor, his length and timing enable him to disrupt passing lanes and guard multiple positions – making him a constant two-way threat.
“The next part of his game is getting stronger and embracing physicality,” Kaffey said. “If he keeps getting stronger it will help him when it comes to scoring down low.”
Several prestigious schools, including the University of North Carolina, Kentucky and Duke, have recognized the potential of a player who can stretch the floor with his shooting touch and dominate on the defensive end, making Muurinen one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2026 class.
The same skillset that helped him rise through the ranks was on full display during the final day of Hoophall, where Muurinen put together an impressive showing in a clash against a star-laden Montverde Academy (FL) squad.
Muurinen played with sheer determination, perfectly showcased when he snatched a lane steal from King Gibson midway through the first quarter. With the ball in hand, Muurinen crossed half court, scanning the floor with precision. Spotting Trent Sisley nearby, Muurinen surged forward and, with a Sisley closing in, executed a flawless behind-the-back layup – leaving fans in awe.
Later in the game, with 27 seconds remaining, Muurinen delivered the final blow. Slipping into the corner on an inbound play under the hoop, Muurinen found his spot to “do his job.”
Catching a pass in stride, Muurinen rose into the air with unshakable confidence, releasing a shot met with smooth backspin. Contact sent him crashing to the floor, but his shot kissed the net – a three-point play and-one to seal the game. The crowd erupted as Muurinen picked himself up, once again proving why he’s garnered national attention.
“I knew it was going in right away,” Muurinen said. “It was just a normal shot.”
Coming into the matchup, Montverde had already proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with, defeating Utah Prep and ESPN’s No. 1 recruit, AJ Dybantsa, 74-60 the night before. However, Muurinen and Co. claimed a hard-fought 45-41 victory.
“He came out aggressive today,” Kaffey said following Muurinen’s eight-point, two-rebound, one-steal and one-block performance. “I love his versatility and that I’m able to play him and the four and five.”
As he looks ahead to his final high school seasons and eventual college decision, one thing is clear: Miikka Muurinen is a name that will be on the radar of college coaches and NBA scouts for years to come.
“I want to make it to the [NBA] Hall of Fame,” Muurinen said. “That’s my ultimate goal.”
Photo by Tucker Paquette/The Student