KK: Behind Miikka Muurinen’s silence is his mother

Miikka Muurinen has thrust himself into the consciousness of the Finnish sports audience with his spectacular moves. Picture from the bronze medal match of the European Championships between Greece and Finland on September 14, 2025. Picture: Jussi Eskola

Basketball big promise Miikka Muurinen hasn’t given any proper interviews since leaving Partizan Belgrade in February.

The player’s mother Jenni Laaksonen tells Home in Kuvalehtithat the decision to keep quiet was his.

“I wanted the pressure off. I think Miika had and has the right to be an ordinary 19-year-old for a moment without being held accountable for what her next move is or why everything didn’t work out,” Jenni Laaksonen told the magazine.

Miikka Muurinen moved from the American high school league to the big club Partizan in September 2025.

The transfer was not motivated by financial gain.

“I said that money shouldn’t be the main reason for any decision, but playing basketball and developing in it. Money makes life easier, but complicates things. I tried to make sure that Miikka doesn’t let money confuse his head,” said his mother.

The youngster’s difficulties in Serbia began to accumulate significantly after the top coach Željko Obradović left the club in December.

In the end, the Finnish player’s time at the club also ended.

Walled19, came to the attention of the Finnish sports public at the latest last year at the European Championships. The young man charmed, among other things, with his spectacular dunks. He played with immense confidence against top opponents.

As a result of the strong game performances, estimates were made in the media that there is probably a future NBA player there.

After the setbacks, Muurinen’s moves have been criticized, which upsets the player’s mother.

Jenni Laaksonen tells Kodin Kuvalehti that she keeps close contact with her firstborn. He also reads what has been written about his son almost every day in different media.

“For years I did everything I could to protect Miikka from the public. But then he played too well,” Laaksonen said.

The public is interested in the future of Muurinen. The player participated in the Hoop Summit of future promises in Portland, USA, a week ago.

The 211-centimeter big promise will play in the US university series next season, but reportedly has not chosen his university yet.

In summer looking forward to returning to a familiar and safe Finnish environment.

Nuori Muurinen will most likely be seen in Susijeng’s ranks again at the beginning of July, when Hungary and France meet in the World Cup qualifiers.

Muurinen has averaged just under 11 minutes of playing time per game in the first four matches of the qualifiers. His GPA is 3.8.

In the European Championship, his average points per match was 6.6. Muurinen collected his best points balance of the Games (12) in the semi-final match against Germany.

Finland finished fourth in the Games.