Has Miro Little been playing well?
Eurobasket 2025
- Thread starter SD Jazz
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Step-Back Lauri
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Not bad but nothing flashy, solid D and simple things in offense, as his shot hasn't developed much thru years. We expect a lot few years ago in the start of his high school//college path, but he's not developed offensive identity as we hoped. At one point he was in the top of his age group of euro talents. IMO he should come play to Europe, find a suitable team and try develop here instead of rotting in g league, after his college path is coming to end
Watch Miikka Muurinen too if you're watching Finland's games also.
He was good last pre-tournament game vs Poland this past Thursday Muurinen is potential TOP10 pick for 2027 NBA draft.
He's been fine but nothing special but unfortunately he's not NBA level PG prospect.
Miikka Muurinen is next Finnish NBA player he's quite similar with Lauri but difference is that Muurinen is good shot-blocker meanwhile Lauri is pure scorer.
I've heard that name, I think maybe he's looking at going to Indiana University? Has he declared?
No, not yet. I think he's narrowed the teams down to Arkansas, Kentucky, Duke, Indiana, UNC, NC State, and Michigan. Here are his highlights from the one preparation game he played. Positive but the offense stalled a bit while he was on the court which is understandable though it being his first game and because of youth. One missed layup where he slogged back down the court and the crowd had to shout for him get his backside back on defence. 10 pts in 10 mins, FG 4/7, 3P 2/4, 3 rebs, 1 block.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kplFmVH0UwU
Step-Back Lauri
Well-Known Member
I think Muurinen is definitely one guy Jazz needs to lock in for 2027. I have quite a strong fate in his both character and player profile. I don't say he's going to be an all star like Lauri, but if Jazz will trade Lauri at some point, he'd be not bad replacement. His defense will be better and I think his offense will round up to average volume 3pt stretch big with a solid first step to punish the rim. The issue for me is, he lacks also some court vision to make plays which is also one of Lauri's development points), but at this point of his path, he might still develop it. Unless Hendricks pans out during next two seasons, Miikka is one of the must focus points in 2027 draft.
I have a question. It looks like all of Finnish players of note - Markkanen, Muurinen, Little, Koponen - have parents who have also been basketball players. It is definitely a thing in America too but not nearly to the same extent. Why is it so? Is it because basketball in Finland is a very insular sport and cannot compete for tall athletes with other popular sports like soccer and winter sports? Or is it something else?
Step-Back Lauri
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Basketball hasn't been super popular, but the success of Lauri in NBA and constant EuroBasket representation of Team Finland last decade and more has started to increase the number of kids into the hobby.
So, I think that the relatively small number of people into the sport more seriously, has been behind it. Number of kids into basketball is rapidly growing in Finland so I would think this thing changes a bit as well by it. If Muurinen breaks into regular NBA roster in the end of this decade, it'll extend the growing number of kids taking interest into this game.
He has been ok on defense. On offense he is still a hesitant shooter, and he also has got to foul-troubles on offense. Offensive fouls are called much easier in FIBA tournaments than in north-america, while on defense the defenders have much more freedom to wrestle; Miro Little was not fully adjusted to that reality during practice games.
Basketball is a very minor sport in Finland. As the population also is small, national team has basically been (if some gross generalisation is allowed here) selected from the same few families, from one generation to next.
This is also why the Finnish national team spectators have been so loud and colorful, but still have behaved nicely (usually for Finns being loud and colorful also means being drunk to the boot, but not so for the basketball fans); the fans have over the decades basically been family and team-members. That same culture for the basketball fans has held on, even as Lauri Markkanen has made the sport (a bit) more popular to be followed (especially the national team has gained new fans with Lauri Markkanen fame). The national team basketball fans are known for there being no drunken fights, no bad-mouthing at opponent players or opponent fans, etc; just joyful (and loud) supporting of the Finnish team, even when things have been going down the drain (things going down the drain is something the finnish basketball fans have for sure gotten used to).
Miro Little is one of the players FIBA (or rather, their media-people) sees to potentially have a breakout tournament.
Who will be the breakout stars at FIBA EuroBasket 2025?
Meet the up-and-coming players ready to step into the spotlight at this year’s EuroBasket.
Why Little has got considered to breakout candidate.Miro Little is one of the players FIBA (or rather, their media-people) sees to potentially have a breakout tournament.
Who will be the breakout stars at FIBA EuroBasket 2025?
Meet the up-and-coming players ready to step into the spotlight at this year’s EuroBasket.www.fiba.basketball
I do understand why Muurinen is listed to that list but why Little is there.
Little is not close to Muurinen as a pure talent in my opinion.
Maybe i'm too hard for Miro but still i don't see him having a chance to make NBA career instead he can be OK PG for some European team.
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Idk how good Little actually is, but he was a top 50 HS recruit. I know he hasn't lived up to that, but people saw him as being a big time talent.
If I was a betting man, I would bet Miikka Muurinen gets the "Young player of the tournament" award. He will get a much bigger role and playing time (because Team Finland behind Lauri is what it is) than most other young players, and people like the flashy dunks he will for sure be showing off with.
Jaanipoeg
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Here is a look at the options fans in the United States have to watch EuroBasket 2025 for free, or with a subscription.