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    Miikka Muurinen Ready to Shine on the Big Stage: Meet “Slim Jesus”

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    By on Columns, EuroBasket, EuroLeague, News, Rising Stars
    Miikka Muurinen, Finland forward
    Basketball Sphere
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    As a nation without a strong league, a club in a strong competition, or a vast talent pool, Finland has to make some compensations at every stage of FIBA tournaments.

    Since 2017/2018, Finland has started putting teenagers straight into the fire, with Mikael Jantunen and Ville Tahvanainen being the first to initiate this trend. The next one was Miro Little, who got two major tournaments before turning 20.

    However, this text isn’t about Finnish basketball development or all of their promising players, but rather about the next one in line, the player who caught the broad audience’s radar at this EuroBasket, Miikka Muurinen.

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    But first, before analysing him as a player, let’s look at his career.

    His first basketball steps

    He started his youth basketball career playing for Beat Basket Jarvenpaa, a team from the city where he was born. He has a huge basketball background, as both his mother and father were basketball players. Kimmo Muurinen was a Finnish national team player, while his mother, Jenni Laksonen, also played for Finland’s women’s team. Before playing in Europe, she attended the University of North Carolina. 

    Miikka Muurinen played from 2020/2021 until 2021/2022 in the Finnish basketball system for Beat Basket. His mother was his coach, and he played against older competition until he went to Zentro Basket. Numbers in Finnish youth leagues weren’t particularly impressive, but flashes of potential were evident. While free throws didn’t indicate shooting touch, he had a 40% three-point shooting percentage in his first season. The next destination was Spain, Zentro Basket.

    Flashes in Spain

    For Zentro, he played in the Spanish U-16 league. Surprisingly, he had much better numbers in Spanish basketball, averaging 12.5 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 1.5 steals and 3.3 turnovers. Field goal was low – just 35.7%, but mostly because of the three-point shot, which was still a work in progress. 

    He played 21 minutes per game in that competition, and Zentro ended up as the 6th-best U16 team that season. His best performance was against Barcelona in the group stage, where he scored 20 points, five rebounds, and +/- +14 in a six-point difference game. His current huge struggle was also noticeable there, which is free throws. Against Barcelona, he shot 8/11 from the line, but in all other games, he had just 10/23, which is just 43%

    That year, Miikka Muurinen also played in tournaments organised by the Madrid Basketball Federation. While we can’t access all the stats, games are available on BasketCantera.TV . Above are highlights against Real and Fuenlabrada, and against Real, he had 20 points. While Zentro was demolished, he went against another elite prospect, Sidi Gueye, and Miikka scored 1/3 of his team’s points. 

    Youth National team debuts

    In the summer of 2023, Miikka Muurinen had his debut for Finland youth teams. First, he played in the U-16 Nordic tournament, where he showcased flashes of his three-point shot. In 5 games, Miikka shot 40% from three-point range, averaging 18.6 points per game and 7.6 rebounds. He also had positive +/- in every game, even though Finland lost 3 out of 5 games. Free throws were again bad, just 50%. 

    The next tournament was the FIBA U16 Eurobasket. Finland was in the A division that year. While Finland had just one win, Miikka was their leading offensive player. The percentages weren’t great, as Finland lacks depth in talent, so the environment and spacing were subpar. Still, Mikka Muurinen managed to average 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds (out of which 2.7 were offensive), two blocks, and one steal per game with 49% for two and 28.8% for three. Free throws were again poor (52%), a trend that has followed him throughout his entire young career. 

    While his three-point percentage wasn’t great, his form was already starting to look nice, and he was shooting from way behind the three-point line, sometimes fading; those weren’t easy shots. His finishing at the rim was solid – he had 67% around the restricted area.

    Muurinen in the US

    That year, Miikka Muurinnen decided to go overseas and play in high school. The US high-school system is daunting to explain, as there are many circuits and players can play for their school team and for another in the off-season. In the first season, Miikka played for Sunrise Christian Academy, and in his second year, he played for AZ Compass Prep. He also played for Bradley Beal Elite in AAU (which is club basketball for high-school players).

    In these two years, his stats for HS teams weren’t impressive in Nike EYBL scholastic, but the US high school system is ruthless, as players play on incredibly packed schedules. Not all players play at 100% intensity; there are many injuries, and overall numbers get worse because of too many games. Additionally, playing so far away from home isn’t particularly comfortable, given the vast cultural differences between Finland and the United States. And he had been living outside his country for three years.

    After the end of the 2023/24 HS season, Miikka Muurinen played for the Next Generation Select team in the Adidas Next Gen Tournament. He played a solid role for them, and while stats aren’t flashy, he had some on-ball possessions, which is crazy for his height.

    ”Slim Jesus”

    Silly nickname it is, but it is weirdly fitting – Miika Muurinen has a lanky build, with long wingspan. But that doesn’t stop him from being relentless and playing stronger than he looks. Muurinen himself isn’t sure where the “Jesus” part comes from, but the nickname stuck because it is unique and catchy. It didn’t come from this Eurobasket, though – Miika got it earlier from Cam Wilder, founder of Rod Wave Elite, for which Miika played. Hype already existed for him even before EuroBasket, as his height and wingspan allowed him to make flashy dunks and garner attention from social media since he was 15 years old.


    Senior National team – the blast off

    And now to the thing that raised Muurinen’s status through the roof. Miikka Muurinen already debuted for the Senior team at the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament. In short playing time, Muurinen played fearlessly, as if he belonged to that level. He showed huge flashes of his potential, even though he wasn’t efficient from the floor.

    Miikka Muurinen ended up averaging 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8 minutes per game while shooting 33% from the field. Still, competing against pros at just 17 years old, without professional experience, isn’t easy. Below are some of his highlights from that summer.



    But this year’s Eurobasket was the real breakout moment for Miikka. In the preparations, Miikka’s first game was against Poland, and he had his first double-digit game in his professional career, racking up 10 points on 2/3 for two and 2/4 for three shooting. He also had three rebounds and a block. That game changed the way Tuovi looked at Muurinen, and Miikka was set to have a solid role at the Eurobasket



    At the Eurobasket, Miikka Muurinen didn’t receive consistent minutes, but he always delivered at least something positive for Finland. Most notably, powerful rim detonations raised the morale of his squad. His first viral dunk happened vs Great Britain, and after that, he had similar dunks several more times during the tournament.


    It is stupid to narrate through the whole Eurobasket, so let’s get to the 2nd most crucial moment of Miikka’s Eurobasket – clutch performance against Serbia. Finland pulled an insane upset against contenders, and Miika played a massive role in that. For the whole game, Serbia made the decision to try denying drives at the expense of allowing three-point shots. Finland surprisingly managed to hold the ground and even lead, and Muurinen got his chance already in the first half.

    He had his dunk again, but overall, his minutes were negative for Finland. Jantunen wasn’t replaceable in terms of impact, but Tuovi had a huge issue with his players making fouls on Jokic. And then, Miikka Muurinen got 4th quarter minutes. And he used those minutes great, his two threes held Finland alive as Serbia actually managed to retake the lead. Without those, Serbia would probably pull out of this game. But Miikka punished Pešić’s decision not to guard him.


    Muurinen had a solid performance against Georgia, but he shone again against Germany. In tournament high minutes, Miika scored 12 points on 3/4 shooting from downtown, with a block and two rebounds.

    Overall, he averaged 11.1 minutes, 6.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, 0.3 turnovers, and 2.4 personal fouls per game. Miikka Muurinen shot 87.5% for two and 35.4% from the three-point line. Remember the free throws? He again struggled with shooting them, with a just 46.7 percent hit rate. Below are his tournament highlights, and in the next paragraphs, we will dive into what he is as a player – his qualities and deficiencies.



    Miikka Muurinen – Positives and potential

    Size and athleticism

    One of the main selling points for Miikka is his rare blend of speed, length, and height. While most of his dunks come from the fact that he has a lengthy wingspan on a tall frame, he can use his length as an advantage for finishing even when not dunking. His jump isn’t otherworldly, but it is solid enough to get into easy dunking situations. He is 6’11”  tall (211 cm) per FIBA listing. His wingspan is 7’2” (220 cm), so his standing reach should be around 9 feet (+/- 3 inches), which is around 274 centimeters. 

    Miikka Muurinen also has 92 kilograms (203 lbs), which, for his height, means that he is a wing. There may be a chance he gains significant mass and becomes able to play at the center position, but the chances aren’t high. But at the Eurobasket, he already had some minutes at the center position, as I mentioned in the game vs Serbia, he was substituted for Jantunen, even though Jokic was on the other side.

    His speed is impressive, as evident in his transition plays. Moves well, isn’t great laterally, but is solid enough for his age. He can get uncontrollable under the heavy contract, but it is normal for lighter-framed players. A high center of gravity leads to struggles against late switches, as he lacks strength. While he will improve his strength, the question remains whether he will be able to overcome the issue of a high center of gravity.

    Offense – currently a play finisher and glass cleaner, in the future a mystery

    For the professional basketball level, Miikka Muurinen is currently purely a play finisher. Either by catching a lob, scoring from transition, or taking a catch and shoot attempt. But, even at the FIBA level, he showcased flashes of being able to do things with the ball. Let’s start with his play finishing.


    At Eurobasket, Miikka had an 87% success rate for two. It is obvious that most of his attempts were at the rim, but to have a precise number, he scored eleven out of his 14 field goals made from the restricted area. Miikka is a strong transition player, as his speed and length enable him to score easily even when it isn’t a one-versus-zero fastbreak. 

    While he didn’t showcase too many acrobatic finishes, there were some flashes of it. But mainly, he didn’t require that. He plays great above the rim and catches the lobs without a problem. He is capable as a cutter and can read the space well enough to exploit opponents’ mistakes.

    He is great at clearing the glass on offense, can read well where the ball will go, and doesn’t fear crashing the glass. His height, length, and speed give him an advantage in getting into situations to grab offensive rebounds before his opponents. And his length allows him to put it back straight without having to get back to the floor.


    Another essential part of his play-finishing is spot-up shooting. While Muurinen wasn’t having great percentages from downtown in his career, this Eurobasket showcased that potential is there, and shooting it without regard for percentages was probably a correct decision.

    No one will remember he had 22% from three-point range in the Finnish U16 league or under 25% in Spain’s cadets league, but everyone will remember 3/4 from three against Germany or 2/4 for three vs Serbia. He shot 35.3% for three this Eurobasket, and his form doesn’t look bad for his height – as you can see in the video below, it is fluid, with solid and consistent motion. Perhaps leg usage could be improved ( bending knees inward isn’t ideal), but there is nothing that strains the eyes.


    And now onto the hypotethicals – things which he showcased flashes and which are the reason his potential is hard to grasp. For his height, he can handle the ball really well. Of course, he won’t ever be the main ballhandler as he obviously lacks court-reading and passing skills, but his spatial awareness is good, and he can attack undefended space really well. Currently, there is room for improvement, but he has demonstrated this ability in the USA and even on occasion for the Finnish national team.

    The second hypothetical, but with a much smaller chance, is that Miikka can develop pull-up shooting. He had some situations where he took a three-pointer on one dribble. As I wrote earlier, he has solid ball-handling capabilities, but will he be able to put it together with shooting?

    Defense – disruptor with switch potential

    Currently on defense, Miikka is best as a possession disruptor. His length, speed, and agility enable him to deflect the ball, intercept passes, and block opponents. He doesn’t fear anyone, but his lack of weight and strength sometimes limits his ability to protect the rim effectively. Still, Miikka makes an impact there. 


    His mobility for his height opens up the possibility of him being switchable. Length he possesses means opponents would have a tough time shooting over his contests. He has to improve lateral quickness and positioning when guarding at the perimeter, but potential is there. 

    Problems 

    As mentioned earlier, his weight, strength, and center of gravity can cause some hardships. He can overcome some parts of it, but tall, lanky players never clear those problems fully. Overall, there isn’t anything much concerning about his body, though.


    The second main problem for Miikka is free throws. If you read the paragraphs about his career, you could notice in every single one of them, there was a sentence about his poor free-throw shooting. He never shot above 65% from the line, which is surprising, looking at his form and potential for jump-shooting. He will have to improve those cause his poor percentage leaks a huge amount of points and makes the hacking strategy valid against him.

    The third main problem is defensive rebounding. He isn’t bad at positioning, but he can’t really box out well. And most of the players that crash the glass are either behemoths of centers, or bruiser wings, who play above their weight with imposing strength. Miikka’s tall center of gravity doesn’t help him with boxing out, as it is easier to push him. When Miikka played against his age, he showcased that he can rebound, but his strength will be an issue going against the pros. But his impact wasn’t negative at the Eurobasket except against Serbia and Greece (only teams that outrebounded Finland with Miikka on the court).

    The fourth problem, which isn’t noticeable, is that Miikka can disappear. While it wasn’t evident on Eurobasket, as he had great motivation for his country and national team, watching him in High school or last year’s Adidas Next Gen tournament, it’s sometimes that Mikka doesn’t leave a mark on the game for a vast chunk of minutes. It is something that can be fixed, but it can’t be overlooked.

    Outlook – baptism with fire already paid off


    ”Baptism with fire” went great for both Finland and Miika. Finland has a promising future in national team basketball and achieved an excellent result at EuroBasket, for which Miika was a significant contributor. On the other hand, Miikka’s career trajectory underwent drastic changes. He tasted professional basketball, saw he could play with the big guys, and decided he wouldn’t continue with high school basketball.

    While it could end up being risky (Eurobasket is a small sample size, and positive variance can occur even for greater players than Miikka), Miikka still has a backup plan available to attend college if overseas basketball doesn’t go well. With the decision to get out of high-school basketball, Miikka could also become eligible to get into the NBA draft already next year (depends on CBA ruling, there is a chance he won’t). From this point of view, the decision he made appears excellent, and it came as a surprise because he had mentioned different plans two weeks ago.

    About his draft projection, it really depends on how well he plays in his first professional season. NBA teams like to bet on potential, but many times over the last few years, they have taken too many risks, and it hasn’t gone as planned. If Muurinen can bring the level of play he had at Eurobasket, he looks like a sure lottery pick who has a case even to be a top 6 pick. But he can always reclassify for the next class if things don’t go as planned.

    More on Miikka Muurinen: read our feature, Slim Jesus in Belgrade: How Miikka Muurinen signals a new era for Partizan? (October 2025).

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