With less than a week to go in the regular season and on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is set to have a slightly different offseason routine than years past.
Markkanen told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne who plans to fulfill his mandatory military service for his native Finland this off-season. The country requires all male citizens to fulfill their military obligations before the age of 30.
Markkanen, 25, said he doesn’t see the requirement affecting his preparation for next season.
“It’s mandatory, we have to do it, but at the same time we also take pride in it,” said Markkanen. “I think it sets an example to serve. And I am confident that I can do it in a way that will not affect my preparation for next season either.”
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Markkanen will report to duty on April 17 or sometime in July, depending on when the Jazz’s season ends. It is scheduled to be stationed at a base in southern Helsinki.
Markkanen postponed his military service while in college, and his plans to show up last year fell apart when the Cavaliers reached the gatehouse tournament.
“Of course I would prefer to be exercising like I normally do [in the offseason], but I have heard that they do a good job of combining the two,” said Markkanen. “You can do your job as an athlete and your basic training at the same time.”
The 2017 first-round pick was traded from Cleveland to Utah in September and has had a great season. She is averaging 25.6 points per game while shooting 49.9% from the field, both career highs for her. Her performance earned her her first All-Star nod.