Lauri Markkanen: Utah Jazz All Star Reports for Mandatory Military Service in Finland

• Lauri Markkanen has reported for mandatory military service in Finland
• The Utah Jazz big man had postponed reporting for service a few times before
• Markkanen is coming off a superb individual season where he received an All-Star selection

After coming off an incredible individual season with the Utah Jazz, Lauri Markkanen has reported for mandatory military service for his country, Finland.

Military service is compulsory for male citizens of Finland and must be completed by age 30.

The 25-year-old had a career high season with the Jazz in the just-concluded regular season. He averaged 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds since he was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He was expected to report last year, but the Cavaliers made the play-in tournament. He also postponed when he was in college at the University of Arizona and when he had to play with the national team, per ESPN.

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The Jazz were close to making the play-in tournament but fell short, finishing 12th with a 37-45 record.

Markkanen reports for service

Earlier this week, the Jazz posted a photo on Instagram of their star reporting for military service. He posted a photo of himself with a new haircut.

The 7-foot big man is based at the Defence Forces’ Sports School in Finland's capital, Helsinki, which is designed to train reconnaissance squads for emergency and wartime conditions, per CNN.

The All-Star is happy to undertake service ahead of the 2023/24 NBA season.

"It's mandatory, we have to do it, but at the same time, we take pride in it, too," said Markkanen, 25. "I think it sets an example to serve. And I'm confident I can do it in a way that it's not going to affect my preparation for next season, either," via ESPN.

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Finland became the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) earlier this month amid rising tension in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Markkanen was traded to the Jazz last offseason in the blockbuster that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers. Markkannen quickly become Utah's best player and earned his first All-Star selection.

He is the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award for the 2022/23 season.

Mitchell on Jazz exit

Sports Brief earlier reported on Donovan Mitchell opening up on his exit from the Utah Jazz in the last offseason.

"Basketball just didn’t work. We live in such a world where it has to be really negative. Basketball just didn’t work. We didn’t see eye to eye. We wanted to both win, but we wanted to do it two different ways. It didn’t work."

Mitchell's time in Utah wasn't successful from a team perspective, as the Jazz became perennial underachievers. They performed well in the regular season but couldn't replicate it in the postseason.

He averaged 23.9 points in his five seasons and left as one of the best players in Jazz's recent history.