Lauri Markkanen has flourished in his first year in college basketball with the Arizona Wildcats, leading them in both points (16.3) and rebounds (7.3) per game through 13 games, while shooting 44 percent from 3.
The 7-footer from Finland can do things that most players his size can’t — shoot, put the ball on the floor, create for others, etc. — and NBA personnel have undoubtedly taken notice.
Relatedly, Markkanen is projected to be selected eighth in the 2017 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.com, and in the top ten by several other publications, plus was projected to be a first rounder (though lower in the round) before he even suited up for the Wildcats.