In the United States, young athletes have their choice of a professional role model. On the hardwood, a few particulars stand out. LeBron James. Michael Jordan. Stephen Curry. Each name stitches the backs of top-selling jerseys and decorates shoe designs across the nation, inspiring a path pursued by millions.
Growing up, that idol wasn’t immediate for Arizona State freshman Elias Valtonen. A native of Finland, Valtonen’s basketball journey began at 7 years old, when he joined a club coached by his father in his hometown of Eura. He played five years there before twice moving within the country, eventually settling in the nation’s capital, Helsinki, joining the prestigious basketball academy HBA-Märsky at age 15.