TUCSON (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - The eyes of Finnish basketball fans are cast far and wide at the end of 2016, just as they were two decades ago when Hanno Mottola suited up for Utah in American college basketball and competed under the late Rick Majerus.

The Finn that everyone in Helsinki is keeping tabs on now resides in Tucson and plays for American college basketball's Arizona Wildcats. He is Lauri Markkanen, the son of former national team player Pekka Markkanen. The signs are very good that he'll be a solid pro one day and maybe even special.

Averaging 16.3 points and 7.2 rebounds as a freshman, the 19-year-old appears to have a very good chance of making Finland's roster for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 and playing in front of his countrymen in Helsinki.

For now, the focus is on improving as a player at Arizona where, despite being a giant, Markkanen is being used as a small forward in a line-up that has three guards.

As expected, the former Helsinki Academy standout is getting to grips with a lot of change both on and off the court.

He says that one big difference is that "fouls are called more easily" and also "the speed of the game".

But Markkanen, who was the star attraction this past summer in Finland when they hosted the U20 European Championship, says that he's taking everything in his stride.

"It's been what I expected," he said. "I came here to learn more about basketball.

"I have to watch a lot of film to adjust to new rules. It hasn't been easy but it hasn't been too difficult, either. I just have to spend a lot of time with that."

Markkanen is not your typical 7-footer in the American college game and that is probably down to the fact that when he was growing up, he didn't just slot in at center and attempt to beat opponents with his height. He also liked watching smaller players.

"When I grew up, I really liked Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, obviously they're not players at my position. When I grew up, I played 2 and 3." - Markkanen

"There wasn't like one certain player," he said, when asked who he tried to model his game after. "I just tried to take moves from different players.

"When I grew up, I really liked Kobe Bryant and Dywane Wade, obviously they're not players at my position. When I grew up, I played 2 and 3."

There are some similarities with Markkanen and some other bigs in the NBA like Dirk Nowitzki and the latest sensation from the old continent, Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks.

"Some people talk about it," he said of Porzingis, "but I don't think we're that similar. Obviously shooting the ball but he's 7ft 3in (laughs)."

It's far too early to know what his chances are of making the roster for EuroBasket, but there is little doubt that national team coach Henrik Dettmann is going to have him in the preliminary squad.

The coach has already had him with the senior team this summer.

At the U20 European Championship, even before he was putting up big numbers at a big-time school like Arizona, Dettmann raved about the potential of Markkanen to FIBA.com.

"We are really excited about having him in the men’s national team this summer and having him going to Arizona to play college basketball because that is also going to give him a new view and new experience of how the game is," the coach said.

"College basketball is different. The speed of the game is different, the way they play is different and this experience will give him a wider base when it is time to go to the next level.

"The next level is, of course, the NBA. But to make it to the NBA, that's nothing. You have to make it in the NBA, then you are something.

"I think Lauri has the talent to be a good, I would say All-Star player."

That is indeed high praise and lofty expectations for Markkanen, but also a note of warning. To reach his full potential, there is a lot of work ahead of him.

FIBA