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For more than a year, Duke basketball fans have kept a close eye on one of the most intriguing international prospects in high school hoops: Miikka Muurinen, the ultra-athletic 6-foot-11 Finnish forward whose blend of size, fluidity, and skill has made him one of the most talked-about names in the 2026 recruiting class.
Now, after spending the past year playing professional basketball in Serbia—a bold choice for a teenager—Muurinen has announced that he intends to play college basketball next season, putting every major program that once pursued him back on high alert.
A GLOBAL JOURNEY WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND
Muurinen’s path has been anything but traditional. After starring at Arizona Compass Prep and rising to the No. 26 spot nationally in the 247Sports Composite for 2026, he made a surprising decision: he would spend a year overseas, developing in the high-level European pro system rather than entering college immediately.
The experiment, it seems, has achieved exactly what he hoped.
“It’s a one-year stop,” Muurinen explained to SKWEEK’s Kristina Tomic. “I want to grow as much as I can, take everything from this opportunity, then bring it to college—hopefully—and then the NBA.”
That kind of clarity and ambition is rare, especially from an 18-year-old. But those who have watched Muurinen’s development already understand that he’s not the typical prospect. His length and mobility give him the defensive versatility to guard multiple positions, and his ballhandling and shooting touch make him a modern stretch-four with real upside as a future pro.
WHAT HIS RENEWED COLLEGE PLANS MEAN FOR DUKE
The Duke Blue Devils extended Muurinen an offer roughly a year and a half ago, and he responded by listing them in his Top 7 last July. The group included:
Duke
NC State
UNC
Indiana
Kentucky
Michigan
At the time, he was considered a 2025 prospect. Now, with his gap year in Serbia nearly complete, Muurinen is repositioning himself for Fall 2025 enrollment, and he says he’s not closing the door on any opportunities.
“I’ve had college offers since my sophomore year,” he told Tomic. “I have 25 now. I’m supposed to go to college next year. I’m not turning any of those offers down.”
Where Duke currently stands in his recruitment is unclear. Playing overseas often complicates the communication process, and the Blue Devils have been busy assembling one of the most impressive 2026 classes in the nation. Still, the staff has tracked Muurinen for years, and elite 6-foot-11 athletes with professional seasoning don’t come around often. If mutual interest remains, Duke would absolutely make room.
DUKE’S 2026 CLASS: LOADED AND CLIMBING
Whether Muurinen becomes part of Duke’s plans or not, Jon Scheyer and his staff have positioned themselves exceptionally well for the future. Their 2026 recruiting class already ranks No. 5 in the nation, and it could rise even higher.
Here’s where things stand:
Bryson Howard – 5-star SF (Heritage High School, TX)
A dynamic scorer with elite perimeter ability, Howard has the potential to become Duke’s next big wing star.
Cameron Williams – 5-star PF (St. Mary’s Catholic, AZ)
A powerful, polished forward whose interior touch and physicality make him one of the most college-ready bigs in the class.
Maxime Meyer – 4-star C (IMG Academy, FL)
At 7 feet tall with real defensive instincts, Meyer gives Duke a strong developmental piece in the frontcourt.
These three commitments already give Duke a balanced, high-upside foundation. But the biggest fireworks might still be ahead.
THE BACKCOURT DUO THAT COULD ELEVATE DUKE TO NO. 1
Scheyer is still pursuing two elite guards who could transform Duke’s class from excellent to unrivaled:
Deron Rippey Jr. – 5-star PG (Blair Academy, NJ)
Jordan Smith Jr. – 5-star CG (Paul VI Catholic, VA)
Both are explosive, creative, and highly competitive—the type of guards who elevate a team’s ceiling the moment they step on the floor. Smith Jr. was even in attendance for Duke’s thrilling 67–66 ACC/SEC Challenge win over Florida on Tuesday night, a game that showcased the program’s intensity and atmosphere at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Landing one of them would be huge. Landing both could make Duke’s 2026 class the best in the country.
SO WHERE DOES MIIKKA MUURINEN FIT IN?
If Duke chooses to push again for Muurinen—and if the interest is still shared—the Blue Devils could be an ideal landing spot. He fits the modern style Scheyer emphasizes: spacing, athleticism, and positionless versatility.
But with Duke’s recruiting momentum surging and roster needs constantly shifting, nothing is guaranteed. Muurinen’s broad recruitment means dozens of schools will be calling, and his decision is likely months away.
What is certain is this:
He wants to play college basketball.
He will have his choice of elite programs.
And after a year battling pros in Serbia, he may enter the NCAA more prepared than almost any freshman in the country.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Whether his journey ultimately leads him to Durham or elsewhere, Miikka Muurinen has positioned himself as one of the most fascinating players in the upcoming recruiting cycle. His maturity, work ethic, and global experience make him more than just another name in the rankings—they make him a potential difference-maker from day one.
And with Duke poised for another elite recruiting class, the next year promises to be one of the most compelling and talent-rich offseasons in recent Blue Devil history.
