Why On3 is higher than the industry with four-star PF Miikka Muurinen

Miikka Muurinen is an interesting prospect. The Finnish prospect transferred to the United States before the start of this season. He played his sophomore year at Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian on Nike’s EYBL Scholastic Circuit. Even while playing on Nike’s EYBL Scholastic Circuit, there still has not been much domestic exposure for him. Here at On3, we are higher than the industry on the 6-foot-10 forward, ranking him as the No. 10 overall player in On3’s updated 2026 rankings.

On3 leaves nothing to question when we talk about the objective of our rankings. The goal is to assess a prospect’s long-term potential, ultimately manifested by the NBA Draft. Our ranking does not assess who had the best high school career or who will be the best college player. This is why we will shoot to end each cycle with 14 five-star prospects. We follow the lead of the NBA Draft Lottery. This can be a different methodology from others, but our vision when creating our rankings is draft night. 

On3 has Muurinen ranked No. 10. He is ranked No. 63 by 247 and remains unranked by Rivals and ESPN. Criteria can be different across the industry when it comes to players and the order they are ranked. So let’s break down why On3 is higher on Miikka Muurinen than the industry.

Muurinen’s Physical Makeup

Looking at Miikka Muurinen, he is built exactly like you would expect a basketball forward in today’s era to look. He has wide-set shoulders with lengthy arms that flow down his 6-foot-10 frame. The projectability of Muurinen’s frame is obvious upon first look. 

What this frame also gives Muurinen is possible versatility. At his height and length, he can do some things on the block. But with his athleticism and fluidity, he can also do things on the perimeter. In the age of positional fluidity, that type of natural versatility is valued. 

With that, watching Muurinen move, you see where the unique nature comes from. While listed at 6-foot-10, he has the fluidity of a wing. The way he switches ends and attacks the lanes with a purpose in transition, or slides his feet along the perimeter to stay in front of wings is natural. But he also has excellent timing, both as a weak side/chase-down shot blocker and in the passing lanes. 

With the combination of his size, frame, athletic burst, and fluidity, his physical makeup ticks a lot of boxes moving forward. 

The Defensive Presence

Immediately watching Miikka Muurinen you can see the upside he brings on the defensive end of the floor. I touched on the upside he has in the previous section, but the upside he has here is what put him in this conversation. 

Muurinen has a very clear path, with a couple of different archetype outcomes, given his defensive upside. He has a natural frame and fluidity. The instincts he has in the passing lanes are intriguing. At 6-foot-10, he has instincts off the ball and the length to cut off angles and deflect in the passing lanes. 

While a natural four, he has the athletic fluidity to slide his feet in open space. He can guard at the point in a pressing system, shading the primary ball handler to one side of the floor. He is also able to guard perimeter-based forwards. 

One of the more intriguing aspects of Muurinen’s game is his rim protection ability. He has shown good instincts around the basket both as a primary defender and – especially – as an off-ball defender. He is a good leaper but it is his anticipation that makes him so effective. 

Fluidity, versatility, and switchability, as he continues to add strength and get used to the speed, and the processing, of the American game, he should continue to take steps in this already productive aspect of his game.

Muurinen’s Offensvie Game

Miikka Muurinen’s offensive game is flashes right now. But the flashes are well-rounded and, if they become consistent, they are projectable. Currently, he is at his best aggressively filling the lanes in transition, attacking the front of the rim in the half-court hunting put-backs, and playing off put lobs from others. 

Muurinen is a good vertical athlete. He has excellent length and can play well above the rim and do so while in traffic. At a lengthy 6-foot-10, he has excellent timing to go with good dexterity and balance. He will need to continue adding strength which will help with his ability to take contact as he gets to the rim, but the natural ability is there. 

He also shows upside as a shooter and a floor-spacer. While the shot has not fallen at an exciting clip yet at Sunrise, he has the confidence to take them. As the old saying goes, you have shooters and you have makers. Having the confidence to take them may not seem like much, but two things that come along with that. The coaching staff has the confidence in him to take the shots (averaging 1.6 attempts per game), and when he does take the shots, the form looks good. 

Adding to the shooting aspect, Muurinen has made shots while in Europe. He averaged 2.4 makes per game during the FIBA U16 European Finals. Muurinen will need to continue working on his balance points, especially when shooting catch-and-shoot shots off movement. He has shown a consistent shot load and release. 

Muurinen can straight-line drive to the rim, and has a solid handle when pushing the break. He will need to continue to develop some counters off the bounce and the balance and footwork used in attacking his spots. However, he has the look of developing into, at least a threat, off the bounce. 

The flashes come with the handle and the shot. The production is there with his ability to attack the front of the rim. As he continues to get used to the speed and length associated with the American game we will see the adjustments he makes, along with the developments in his production.

Muurinen’s recruitment

Typically in these articles, I do not include recruiting stuff because they are more geared toward how a player projects long-term. However, with Miikka Muurinen still being somewhat unknown as a player, so I figured adding his recruitment could add more context to profiling him as a prospect.

While things are still just getting started for Muurinen, when it comes to college recruitment, things have picked up quite a bit for him. The 6-foot-10 forward already claims offers from schools like Utah, Texas Tech, Alabama, Cincinnati, Illinois, and UCLA.

The class of 2026 cannot start taking official visits until August 1 of 2024.

Long-Term Outlook for Miikka Muurinen

This season, his first in the United States, has been up and down for Miikka Muurinen. The 6-foot-10 forward has shown very impressive flashes at Sunrise Christian as he continues to adapt to the new style of play.

Coming to the United States from Finland just before the start of this high school season, Muurinen had already accomplished a lot. Mainly showcasing a well-rounded two-way attack. Playing for the Finnish National Team in last summer’s FIBA U16 European Championships, he led his team with 16.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. His point-per-game total was tied for third overall in the event. 

Even with his counting stats showing that well, those were not the most intriguing statistical totals for Muurinen in the FIBA U16 European Championships. Muurinen’s 2.4 threes made per game finished in the top ten while his 2.0 blocks per game led the event. 

Listed at a fluid and lengthy 6-foot-10, Muurinen’s intriguing comes with his ability to knock down threes and block shots. When that aspect is wrapped around international production, along with what the eye test tells you, it is clear the unique nature of his game. 

Switchable players who can toggle between different roles in today’s fluid NBA are the most valuable players. Guys who can guard on the perimeter, while blocking shots, and spacing the floor are rare. Which can make their value even higher. 

While there is still an adjustment period, to be expected with Muurinen – it typically takes European players a season or so to get acclimated and adjust to the speed, length, and athleticism changes in the American game – a lot of his data points track. Coming off the inconsistent season he had at Sunrise Christian may be cause for pause. However, when the international numbers back up the eye test, there is a lot to be excited about as he continues moving forward.