Miika Muurinen Scouting Report
An elite stretch-four making waves on the world stage, Miika Muurinen took his talents overseas to compete against professional-level competition.
The highly touted Miika Muurinen is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2026 class—a versatile forward whose blend of size, skill, and adaptability has placed him firmly on the radar of not only every major college program in America but the NBA.
At 6’11”, he projects as a modern stretch forward with the tools to impact the game inside and out, making him a legitimate candidate to hear his name called in the lottery when his NBA Draft eligibility comes. Muurinen spent a couple of summers competing on the prestigious Nike EYBL circuit with Bradley Beal Elite, where he quickly established himself as one of the most polished and productive offensive players on the floor.
Muurinen’s versatility allows him to thrive in virtually any system and at nearly every spot on the floor. His skill set makes him especially dangerous as a pick-and-pop threat, where his shooting touch and agility force defenses into constant dilemmas. Whether spacing the floor as a reliable shooter, exploiting mismatches off the dribble, or stepping up in clutch moments to carry his team, he consistently demonstrates a polished game well beyond his years—helping his squad earn statement wins against top-tier competition. With news that Miika Muurinen will not return to high school basketball in the United States, speculation quickly mounted over whether he might forgo the college route altogether and instead pursue a professional path overseas. That question was quickly answered when the Finnish forward officially signed with Partizan Belgrade, one of the premier clubs in Serbia and a respected name on the European basketball stage..
Offense
Shooting – Muurinen is a high-level shooter with deep range and the confidence to let it fly at any moment. His mechanics are clean and repeatable, and combined with his 6’11” frame, he’s able to rise and get shots off over virtually any defender. He excels at setting his feet quickly and knocking down threes in rhythm, making him a constant threat as a floor-spacer. What makes him especially dangerous is that defenses can’t simply run him off the line—when pressured, he’s just as capable of attacking closeouts, finishing strong at the rim with a dunk, or creating opportunities off the dribble for teammates. His shooting gravity forces defenses to make tough decisions. Whether he’s scoring himself or facilitating, Muurinen consistently generates positive offensive value with his shooting and floor-spacing ability.
Shooting Upside and potential as a movement shooter - the next step in his development will be expanding beyond traditional catch-and-shoot opportunities. At the NBA level, becoming a reliable movement shooter—knocking down shots while coming off screens or relocating on the move—will be a critical skill. He does a solid job creating for himself off the bounce and shooting on the move, but as his career progresses, he’ll face elite athletes who will crowd him and look to neutralize that part of his game. Up to this point, it hasn’t been much of an issue because he’s been bigger and more skilled than his high school competition, but now he’ll be going up against pros in Europe who will undoubtedly get physical to try and throw him off his rhythm. Just as important, he will need to continue refining his ability to create separation off the dribble, using footwork, shot fakes, and counters to get his jumper off against elite defenders. Right now, much of his perimeter production comes from spot-up situations, but as he evolves into a more versatile shot-maker, his offensive ceiling will rise significantly.
Scoring around the rim
Miika has a vast arsenal of ways to score around the rim, and one of his most effective strengths comes from crashing the offensive glass. From the moment a shot leaves a teammate’s hands, he’s in constant motion—reading the flight of the ball, maneuvering around defenders, and making himself nearly impossible to box out. That relentless pursuit often leads to highlight put-back dunks, second-chance points, and a consistent presence in the paint that keeps defenses on edge.
Beyond his effort, Miika’s hands are exceptional. He can tip in misses with ease, secure contested rebounds, and consistently maintain control of the ball in traffic. His hand-eye coordination is advanced for his age; he routinely tracks passes and rebounds mid-air, adjusting his body in real time to finish with both power and finesse. This combination enables him to execute difficult plays—whether a contested rebound, a quick put-back, or an off-balance finish—seemingly effortlessly.
What separates him further is his basketball intelligence and timing. He has a keen sense of the game, reading defenses and picking his spots—knowing exactly when to crash the glass, when to sneak around defenders, and how to turn chaotic situations into scoring chances. His constant activity around the rim doesn’t just put points on the board; it forces defenders to collapse, creating openings for teammates and influencing the flow of the entire offense.. Simply put, Miika’s scoring around the rim is truly elite; his rebounding instinct and motor make him a constant threat in transition, half-court sets, and every offensive possession.
Scoring in the Half-court
Half-Court Scoring: In the half-court, Miikka Muurinen is asuch a skilled scorer who gives opossing defenses migraines trying to figure out how to guard him. His middle game is a real threat, and him on a short roll as the roll man is *muah*(cheff’s kiss) making him lethal in a ballscreen scenario. He reads defenses well on the catch, knowing when to attack off the dribble and when to exploit mismatches. He’s aggressive when driving to the basket, using his strength, balance, and body control to finish through contact.
Muurinen is also a physical presence in the post. He plays with a fiery confidence. In his arsenal, he has a solid jump hook and uses his edge, creativity and witwit to his advantage when it’sit’s time to score over bigger defenders, while maintaining patience to create space when needed. What really sets him apart is his willingness to attack the rim and punish defenses. He draws contact, absorbs it, and still finishes efficiently, forcing defenders to adjust their rotations constantly.
His physicality and assertiveness don’t just lead to points—they influence the flow of the game. His aggressiveness keeps defenders on their toes, opens up chances for teammates, and consistently produces high-percentage scoring opportunities. Combined with his basketball IQ and competitive drive, Miikka’s half-court game is both highly effective and challenging to stop, making him a constant matchup problem at every level.
Defense
Defense: One of the most impressive aspects of Miika’s game on defense is his ability to read and control passing lanes. He has a knack for anticipating where the ball is going, and his long arms allow him to deflect passes and create turnovers at a high rate. When he gets a steal, he uses his quickness and agility to turn defense into instant offense, often finishing the sequence with highlight-reel dunks. His combination of anticipation, length, and speed makes him a constant disruptive force, forcing opposing offenses to think twice before attempting passes or driving into his area. Beyond steals, his presence in the passing lanes also helps his teammates, as he alters passing angles and speeds up defensive rotations, making him a key factor in team defense.
Competitive Edge
Many European prospects arrive in the United States carrying the unfair “soft” label, with questions about whether they can handle the physicality and pace of American basketball. Miikka Muurinen shattered that stereotype almost immediately. From the moment he landed stateside in 2023 to join powerhouse Sunrise Christian Academy, he proved he had both the toughness and competitive edge to thrive against elite competition. Rather than shying away from contact, Muurinen embraced it—battling in the paint, finishing through defenders, and showing a fiery mean streak that quickly put everyone on notice. From high school to EYBL to international play, he’s consistently displayed the skill and fundamentals shaped by his background, paired with the grit and edge that NBA scouts look for in a young forward. That toughness will remain one of his greatest assets—it allows him to handle the physical grind of higher competition while driving the competitiveness and resilience that set elite prospects apart.
Athleticism
An above-average athlete at 6’11”, Miikka Muurinen’s athleticism was on full display during FIBA EuroBasket 2025, where he strung together a breakout run that firmly placed him on the radar of NBA scouts. Nearly every game featured highlight-reel moments—whether it was explosive transition finishes, powerful halfcourt slams, or one-on-one dunks that showcased both his quick first step and vertical pop. What stood out wasn’t just the frequency of his dunks, but the ease with which he elevated against older, more seasoned competition, often making plays that few players his size can replicate. Scouts in attendance were left buzzing about his potential, as his combination of size, fluidity, and bounce projected seamlessly to the next level.
Muurinen gets off the floor with slight wasted motion, and his vertical leap allows him to finish above the rim in traffic or rise over defenders without needing a long runway. I’m not sure of his exact wingspan, but his arms are clearly long and disruptive. He’s wiry-strong, able to take contact and still finish plays at the rim, with body control in the air that’s well ahead of his years. That rare mix of finesse and strength makes him dangerous in transition and equally effective at exploiting mismatches in the halfcourt.As he continues to develop his frame, his finishing ability should become even more reliable and impactful against NBA-level rim protectors.
At this stage, Muurinen is more of a straight-line, north-south athlete who thrives attacking in transition or going downhill. Still, he’ll need to continue improving his lateral quickness and agility to excel at the NBA level—particularly on the defensive end. Developing the ability to slide with quicker wings, cut off driving lanes, and contain guards on switches will be essential if he wants to maximize his versatility as a two-way forward.
Projection
Muurinen projects as a modern-day pick-and-pop stretch forward who fits effortlessly into today’s NBA style of play. At the college level, he appears to be an immediate contributor, with the potential to develop into a featured starter and an eventual NBA prospect.
What could truly set him apart is his work ethic. Coaches and scouts recognize that he’ll continue to improve because he approaches the game with focus, professionalism, and a relentless drive to get better. This will only improve with him playing pro overseas again. He’s not just a player who can fit into a system—he has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone. High-ceiling, high-reward type of player on the horizon, Miika is an opportunity that can’t be missed.