Finnish basketball player Lauri Markkanen has been selected as a reserve for the NBA's All-Star game, the association's website has confirmed.
Markkanen will become the first ever Finn to participate in the star-studded game.
The Jyväskylä native narrowly missed out on the starting line-up when the teams were announced last week following a vote by players, supporters and media representatives.
However, NBA head coaches decide on the reserve players for the game, and Markkanen was among the 14 players selected.
The 2023 All-Star game will be played in Salt Lake City, at the home of Markkanen's team the Utah Jazz, at 3am in the morning (Finnish time) on Monday 20 February.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Markkanen said playing in the game will be the realistion of a long-held professional dream.
"I’ve said this publicly before, but absolutely it has always been my personal goal [to play in the All-Star game]," Markkanen said.
"Obviously I’ve got team goals and I’m always going to push those first, but at an individual level that’s always been my goal. Not just to be one of the guys in the league, I want to make it to the top."
Markkanen is leading scorer for the Utah Jazz this season, averaging 24.9 points per game, propelling his side to a surprise 9th place in the Western Conference.
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