Top 25 Prospect Miikka Muurinen Visiting Utah Basketball
Sep 6, 2024, 10:44 AM
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 27: Gabe Madsen #55 of the Utah Utes is congratulated by teammates Jake Wahlin #10, Luka Tarlac #21, and Jerry Huang #45 after sinking a three pointer against the VCU Rams during the second half of the quarterfinals of the NIT Mens Basketball Tournament at the Jon M Huntsman Center on March 27, 2024 in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The No. 11 Utah Football team will be hosting the Baylor Bears this weekend for a big early season matchup of Big 12 programs. Utah Basketball will actually be welcoming a top-25 prospect for a visit this weekend as well.
Finland forward Miikka Muurinen will be at Utah this weekend to get a closer look at the Runnin’ Utes. A fantastic big man prospect, Craig Smith & staff will get to showcase the program and make their case to him.
Miikka Muurinen looking forward to his Utah Basketball visit
Utah Basketball will welcome a consensus four-star prospect to campus for a visit this weekend. With his visit this weekend, Muurinen is looking forward to the trip for a couple of reasons.
“I’m probably most excited to see the campus and facilities, I’ve only been (to Utah) once and Finland doesn’t really have mountains” Muurinen described. “But me and Miro (Little) are good friends, I’m very excited to hang out more with him this weekend. I’m looking for a good coach, good program, that will be a good fit for me.”
Muurinen and the Utah point guard have played together for many years on the Finland national teams. That relationship could play a key role for Utah here.
The top 25 prospect has game
A Finland product, Miikka Muurinen is considered by most to be a top 25 player, even a top 10 player according to On3, in the 2026 class. He has significant potential as a high-level collegiate player and as an NBA prospect. At 6-foot-10, 200 pounds, Muurinen can do a bit of everything on both ends of the floor.
He has long arms that make him a rim-protecting force on the defensive end. Muurinen moves really well for his size, in terms of general athleticism and fluidity. He looks comfortable handling the ball, can make plays off the bounce, and can finish at all levels.
He’s a tantalizing prospect and has offers from the who’s who of college basketball. Alabama, Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, and others are all on the offer sheet. He has visits scheduled to Utah on September 7, Kentucky on September 14, and Duke on September 27.
Utah has strong connections to the Finnish basketball program. Miro Little is the current Finnish product on the roster and he will play a role in Utah’s recruitment of Muurinen.
Utah Basketball Roster
Smith and his staff finalized the basketball roster last week with the addition of Joul Karram of Israel. You can find Utah basketball’s new roster here.
