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FAYETTEVILLE — Miikka Muurinen’s recruitment was a whirlwind.
The 7-footer from Finland enrolled at multiple high schools in the United States and played professionally in Serbia before committing to Arkansas basketball earlier this year.
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Along the way, the Razorbacks never gave up on trying to bring the NBA Draft prospect to Northwest Arkansas. Muurinen credited that determination as a big factor in deciding to play for John Calipari.
“It’s been a consistent journey,” Muurinen said on a recent episode of the Razorback Daily podcast.
“Like, 2024 summer when I had my first talk with Coach (Calipari) on the sideline, to me taking a visit, it’s been really consistent since then,” he added. “Pretty much every week or so, someone has texted me from the coaching staff, just making sure that I know they want me to play here.”
Muurinen said that type of loyalty made his commitment to Arkansas an “obvious choice.”
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Muurinen visited the Razorbacks in the fall of 2024 during Calipari’s first season with the program. He is a five-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Former assistant Chuck Martin was the Arkansas recruiting coordinator and played a big role in Calipari’s international recruiting efforts in recent years. Martin joined Calipari’s Kentucky staff prior to the 2023-24 season.
However, Muurinen said that a different Arkansas assistant took the lead on his recruitment.
“Mostly, I’ve talked with Coach Chin (Coleman). He’s been recruiting me a lot,” Muurinen said.
The Finnish product is already on campus and going through individual workouts. Calipari shared on social media that he had his first meeting with the team Monday, June 8. The Hall of Fame coach is excited about his new team’s potential on the defensive end.
Three other five-star freshmen who should be capable stoppers are in this year’s recruiting class, and Billy Richmond III returns after an All-SEC Defense campaign in 2025-26.
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Muurinen will also be a factor if Arkansas’…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-miikka-muurinen-chose-play-090435764.html
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Publish date : 2026-06-10 09:04:00
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