FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Miikka Muurinen, a 6-foot-10 forward from Finland ranked as the top power forward in the 2026 recruiting class and Arkansas is in that list.
Muurinen has narrowed his list of potential college destinations to six other schools with Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina State and North Carolina.
Muurinen, who currently plays at AZ Compass Prep in Arizona, is ranked No. 8 overall nationally and No. 1 among power forwards in his class by the On3 Industry Ranking. He has drawn attention from coaches and scouts for his size, skillset and international experience.
Muurinen has taken official visits to Arkansas and Michigan, with additional visits expected this fall but not yet scheduled.
He previously received scholarship offers from Kansas, Illinois, Alabama, UCLA, Nebraska, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Utah, Iowa, Texas, Creighton, Minnesota, Arizona State, BYU, St. John’s and Ohio State, among others.
In an interview with On3, Muurinen said his biggest priority is how he would be used by a college program.
“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.”
He also said he sees himself expanding his role at the next level.
“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,” he said
Muurinen has played for Finland’s national youth teams in FIBA competitions and has been steadily building his reputation on both sides of the Atlantic. He moved to the United States for high school and has competed against top prep talent at AZ Compass Prep.
Recruiting analysts and coaches have praised Muurinen’s versatility, noting his ability to play inside and out, shoot from the perimeter and defend multiple positions. His experience in international play is considered an asset as he transitions to college basketball.
“He’s a matchup nightmare,” one college assistant coach said. “If you put a big on him, he’ll take them outside. If you go small, he’ll punish them inside.”
All seven schools on Muurinen’s final list have strong basketball traditions or recent success developing talent for the next level.
Duke and Kentucky have each produced multiple NBA forwards, while North Carolina and Indiana are known for their histories with skilled big men.
Michigan and Arkansas can point to recent NCAA Tournament runs, and North Carolina State could offer an immediate opportunity for playing time.
Muurinen’s decision is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the 2026 recruiting class. His commitment could boost a college’s recruiting haul and have implications for the national landscape next season.
The coming months will be critical as Muurinen completes his visits and coaching staffs make their final pitches.
With the recruiting calendar in full swing, his choice will be monitored by college basketball fans, coaches and scouts in the United States and abroad.
Muurinen’s rise from Helsinki to the forefront of American high school basketball underscores the increasing international influence on the college game.
His next step is likely to shape the direction of one of college basketball’s top programs.
