Ryan Smith, Utah Jazz Honor Lauri Markkanen For NBA All-Star Selection
Feb 6, 2023, 7:49 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Ryan Smith and the Utah Jazz honored Lauri Markkanen for his first NBA All-Star selection during Utah’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Jazz hosted the Mavericks at Vivint Arena on Monday, February 6.
Smith presented the Finnish forward with a special basketball at center court before posing for a photo along with the Jazz “Bear” mascot.
🌟 the All-Star moments continue 🌟
Excited to have @MarkkanenLauri representing the Jazz at #NBAAllStar next week! #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/YIPPpXWjUh
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 7, 2023
On February 2, Markkanen was selected as a Western Conference reserve on the NBA All-Star roster.
He was one of seven reserves chosen in addition to the five starters for the West.
“I’m extremely happy to represent the Jazz here,” Markkanen said of earning the honor where he will play in front of the Utah crowd. “I’m looking forward to it.”
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Markkanen is only the second player from Finland to reach the NBA, joining former University of Utah star Hanno Möttölä, and the first to earn an All-Star nod.
“We grew up watching the All-Star game, too, even though it’s not the normal basketball game,” Markkanen said of his upbringing in Finland. “That was fun to see a lot of dunks and stuff like that it was a cool thing to watch — so I’m extremely happy to be part of it.”
Utah’s game against Dallas is broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and KSL Sports Zone.
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LISTEN LIVE: The @utahjazz are back home to face the @dallasmavs on https://t.co/4kU961UAvR and the @KSLSportsZone.#TakeNote https://t.co/Ajrn0Pt3i9 pic.twitter.com/capjca0wP6
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 7, 2023
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