Finland’s upset win over Serbia on Saturday marked the latest chapter in the coming-out-party of 18-year-old Miikka Muurinen at this year’s Eurobasket tournament. The rising star forward continues to showcase the immense potential indwelling in his combination of size (6ft 10.5in), athleticism, competitiveness, and contagious energy.
Since European basketball fans have seen him during last summer’s national team window, not only has Muurinen’s game made a leap, but so has his look. From no visible tattoos and a white shirt under his jersey to the fully exposed ink covering his right arm and the blond hair flying on a fast break dunk, the Slim Jesus nickname (coined by Cam Wilder) makes more sense.
Muurinen already finds himself in the Top 15 of the college recruiting class of 2026. If his development continues like it has in recent months, he will not only have two full tattoo sleeves but be a no-brainer first round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Miikka’s next appearance on the European stage comes in Wednesday’s Eurobasket quarter-finals matchup with Georgia, as his Finnish national team is on the brink of making history for its federation by reaching the competition’s semi-final for the first time.
So, if you see this 6-10 forward’s highlight reels in your newsfeed in the future, don’t say we handn’t told you about the coming of Slim Jesus!
