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Among them, in Tampere, there will also be the home crowd favorite Lauri Markkanen, who confirmed his availability to be present at the most anticipated national team event of the whole year to the Finnish outlet mtv uutiset. “It’s always an honor to put on the Finland jersey. I’m really looking forward to the tournament, of course, but also every single time I get to wear it, including these exhibition games,” he said via FIBA.
Lauri Markkanen to play Eurobasket 2025 with Finland
Finland got a big boost for their chances at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 with their star forward Lauri Markkanen confirming he will be on board for this summer's tournament - and aiming to make more history. "It’s always an honor to put on the Finland jersey," Markkanen told the Finnish media outlet mtv uutiset. "I’m really looking forward to the tournament, of course, but also every single time I get to wear it - including these exhibition games."
Markkanen has loftier expectations this time around - namely reaching the podium. "It'll take a lot of work and surely we'll face setbacks, but we're aiming for the medal games, of course. It's not enough just to play home games – we want to continue the journey to Riga," he said.
Lauri Markkanen went through a complicated season with the Utah Jazz, but he is looking forward to playing on home soil in the preliminary round of the EuroBasket 2025. “We have a big summer with the national team. I’m excited for that,” the 27-year-old combo forward pointed out in an end-of-season interview on Monday. “Those are the years I have always felt best physically and mentally, to be honest. You’re getting game reps right before the NBA season starts. That kind of gets me excited for the summer, for being able to play for your country and how that’s going to lead up into the NBA season,” he added on the impact of FIBA action before the next NBA campaign.
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The EuroBasket 2025 resurfaces Finland as the host of Group B in Tampere. Looking to clinch a berth in the Round of 16, Finland will face Sweden, Great Britain, Montenegro, Lithuania, and Germany from August 27 to September 3. “It was packed house every night, a lot of fun and really competitive games,” the Vantaa native recalled the 2017 tournament between the top European national teams, “I’m looking forward to build on that. I think we have a really good team. Hopefully, we can create some buzz and kind of make a big run.”
Grizzlies name assistant Tuomas Iisalo interim head coach
Shams Charania: The Memphis Grizzlies are naming assistant Tuomas Iisalo as the interim head coach, sources tell ESPN. Iisalo, a native of Finland, is a former Finnish professional player and coach. He was head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024, winning the EuroCup and EuroCup coach of the year.
Victor Wembanyama still wants to play at Eurobasket?
Will Victor Wembanyama be at Euro 2025 (August 27–September 14 in Latvia, Cyprus, Finland, and Poland) after his NBA season was cut short due to a thrombosis in his right shoulder, diagnosed after the All-Star Game? Having since undergone surgery and been seen on the bench at several San Antonio games, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft is reportedly eager for another summer with the French national team, according to Frédéric Fauthoux. “We spoke with Victor before his surgery—he’s motivated to be part of the team. We’ll see how he progresses physically, and we’ll make the decision when the time is right. Until then, things remain uncertain. But he’s feeling good, and everything is going well with his rehab,” said the French national team coach following the group-stage draw, which placed France in the same group as Luka Doncic’s Slovenia.
Can there be an NBA equivalent to the 4 Nations? "I don't know what the format would be," said Lauri Markkanen, who sported Finland's 4 Nations jersey walking into a Jazz game last week. "Would it be the World against the US or North America? Is it going to be France? I think (the 4 Nations) is a really good format, and it's meaningful games for the break. You always want to fight for your country, so it'd be cool."
Victor Wembanyama: 'It’s definitely my goal to join the French team every summer'
The French national team is trying to qualify for EuroBasket, which will take place next summer across four countries (August 27 to September 14 in Cyprus, Poland, Latvia, and Finland). Do you plan to participate? Are you physically capable after the Olympics and your NBA season? I don’t know the exact dates, but there’s always time for the French team. You just have to sacrifice a bit of your physical preparation for the following season. So yeah, it’s definitely my goal to join the French team every summer.
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Jason Quick: Blazers center Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 9 rebounds as the Bahamas beat Finland 96-86 Tuesday in an Olympic qualifying opener held in Valencia, Spain. Portland coach Chauncey Billups was in attendance. The Bahamas plays Poland on Wednesday.
Hield scored 24 points, Valdez Edgecombe Jr. added 20 and the Bahamas beat Finland 96-85 on Tuesday in the first game of the Olympic qualifying tournament at Valencia, Spain. "We grinded it out. Grinded out a win today," Hield said. "Staying together, figuring it out. Game of basketball is a game of runs. First half, we didn't quite figure it out."
BasketNews: Bahamas Big 3 erupt to take down Finland ✊ 🇧🇸 Deandre Ayton - 19 PTS | 9 REB 🇧🇸 Buddy Hield - 24 PTS | 6 AST 🇧🇸 Eric Gordon - 16 PTS | 4 AST pic.twitter.com/bwA1tRFcmV
Lauri Markkanen ruled out of Olympics for Finland
Finland suffered a massive blow in the hunt for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games with Lauri Markkanen out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia. After an early conclusion to the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season with the Utah Jazz due to an injury in his right shoulder, he will sit out this summer’s international schedule, Basketball Finland updated his status on Monday. “Certainly, this is tough,” confessed Markkanen, “Representing Finland and playing for the national team is an honor for me. Along with my teammates, we have been talking all season about how sweet it would be to advance to the Olympic Games.”
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