Arizona Wildcats

Markkanen leaving Arizona after stellar freshman season

Published Mar. 31, 2017 4:21 p.m. ET

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TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona freshman forward Lauri Markkanen is leaving early for the NBA and is expected to hire an agent.

Markkanen made the announcement Thursday during a news conference at the school attended by his father, Pekka, and Wildcats coach Sean Miller.

An athletic 7-footer from Finland, Markkanen averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds and was named a third-team All-American by The Associated Press. He shot 49 percent from the floor and 42 percent from 3-point range while helping lead the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

With an ability to shoot from deep and score off the dribble, Markkanen has been projected as a top-10 pick in this year's NBA draft.

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