(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Lauri Markkanen Breaks Down Doncic, Giannis, Jokic Ahead of EuroBasket 2025
Finland’s basketball star Lauri Markkanen has shared his thoughts on some of Europe’s biggest names — Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic — while also reflecting on his own strengths as he prepares for EuroBasket 2025.
On Luka Doncic
Markkanen praised Doncic’s unique style and control on the court:
“Doncic’s ability to do so many different things, and the way he never gets sped up, is special. He knows how to reach his spots and can make any shot. His size, patience, and change of speed are his biggest weapons,” he told FIBA.
On Giannis Antetokounmpo
Discussing the challenge of guarding the Greek Freak, Markkanen emphasized his unmatched physicality:
“Giannis is so physical, fast, and strong that it’s really tough to defend him one-on-one. You have to defend as a team and force him to give up the ball. Even then, he has so many tricks that make him nearly impossible to guard.”
On Nikola Jokic
When asked about Jokic, Markkanen highlighted the Serbian’s all-around dominance:
“Jokic is one of the hardest players to go against. His passing, size, and scoring threat make him so effective. He can score inside, shoot from three, or hit the mid-range. But it’s his basketball IQ and playmaking that really hurt defenses — you can’t leave his teammates open because he’ll find them every time.”
On His Own Strengths
Finally, Markkanen reflected on what makes him effective heading into the tournament:
“My biggest strength is versatility. I can handle the ball in transition or in half-court, attack defenders off the dribble, and also shoot from long range. Being able to do multiple things on the floor is what I bring to my team.”
With EuroBasket 2025 fast approaching, Markkanen’s insight into Europe’s top stars shows the level of respect — and challenge — awaiting fans in one of basketball’s biggest international stages.
