Indiana basketball extends offer to 2026 five-star forward Miikka Muurinen
The Indiana basketball staff has officially excepted an offer to 2026 five-star power forward Miikka Muurinen. The offer was expected to come with Muurinen with On3 National Basketball Reporter Joe Tipton named Indiana as one of the schools to watch for the top-15 prospect in the 2026 class.
Muurinen is ranked No. 15 in the On3 rankings and the No. 2 power forward in the class but is a bit under the radar due to his absence on the AAU circuits — not playing this summer.
He took a major jump last year playing for Brad Beal Elite on the Nike EYBL Circuit, helping lead them to a championship in the 16U division. He averaged 17.8 points and shot over 60 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three during Peach Jam last season.
He is 6-foot-10 power forward that plays for AZ Compass Prep by way of Finland. Playing for Finland in the U16 Euro Championships two summers ago he averaged 16.9 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. Last year he was a member of the Olympic qualifying team.
His father Kimmo Muurinen played over 150 games for the Finnish national team while his mom, Jenni Laaksonen, played for North Carolina in the early 2000s.
Along with Indiana basketball, schools such as North Carolina, Arkansas, Michigan, Kentucky, and NC State are in the mix. He is expected to cut his list down 7 schools on Friday.
Muurinen has taken a few visits to Arkansas, Michigan and Utah all in the fall of 2024. Initially, Muurinen was eyeing a winter commitment, but that’s in flux at the moment. While there have been rumors of a potential move to 2025, he is ‘definitely staying in the 2026 class’, he tells On3.
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“Miikka has an excellent frame with great length and a good bit of projectability moving forward,” On3 National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw told TheHoosier.com. “He is a good athlete with some explosion when given runway and some intriguing twitch. He shows flashes of the talent. Knocking down some shots from range, getting into passing lanes and quickly turning defense into offense. Dealing with second defenders and playing with better balance are next steps for him, along with continuing to add weight. These steps should help him give more consistent outputs. The upside is clear, the tools are intriguing, and the highlights can be eye-opening”
He has good, soft hands around the rim and can finish with grace or explosiveness. He’s not a back-to-the-basket forward but has great skill on the perimeter as a shooter or driver. Very good in pick and pop sets or as a trailer in transition. He’s not a terrific defensive rebounder but has good leaping ability and timing as an offensive rebounder — something he excels at. He would fit into what Darian DeVries wants for Indiana basketball.
”In college I see myself as a stretch four,” Muurinen told On3. “I think I could handle it a little more. I haven’t really been able to handle the ball much this season at AZ Compass, but that’s something I’m looking a little more at doing in college.”
”The biggest factor for me will be how are the schools going to play me,” Muurinen said. “That’s what matters. I’m comfortable as a stretch four, shooting the ball, catching it at the top of the key and using my dribble, catching lobs, you know the basic stuff as a four or five man today.”
Below are some highlights of the new Indiana basketball 2026 prospect Miikka Muurinen
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