Finnish Players of the Year
The Finnish Basketball Player of the Year is an annual award that is given to the best basketball player (male or female) with Finnish citizenship. Finnish players that are playing anywhere in the world, qualify for the award. The award is voted on by Finnish sports journalists. The award was first given in 1948. Hanno Möttölä and Lauri Markkanen have won the most player of the year awards, with eight.
A female player has been chosen for the award three times. The first female selection was Hilkka Hakola, who won the player of the year award in 1956. Pekka Markkanen and Lauri Markkanen are the only father and son combination to win the award. The most recent player of the year winner is Lauri Markkanen, his eighth win in a row. He is the only Finnish player to be an NBA All Star.
| Rank | Player | Awards won | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hanno Möttölä | 8 | 1997–2002, 2004–2005 |
| 1. | Lauri Markkanen | 8 | 2017–2024 |
| 2. | Petteri Koponen | 7 | 2008, 2011–2016 |
| 3. | Kari Liimo | 6 | 1963–1965, 1969–1971 |
| 3. | Raimo Lindholm | 6 | 1950–1951, 1953, 1955, 1957–1958 |
| 6. | Teemu Rannikko | 5 | 2003, 2006–2007, 2009–2010 |
| 7. | Kalevi Sarkalahti | 4 | 1972, 1974–1976 |
| 7. | Jorma Pilkevaara | 4 | 1966-1968, 1973 |
| 8. | Pekka Markkanen | 3 | 1989, 1993, 1996 |
| 8. | Larry Pounds | 3 | 1988, 1990–1991 |
| 11. | Kalevi Heinänen | 2 | 1948, 1949 |
| 11. | Heikki Kasko | 2 | 1982, 1984 |
| 11. | Kari-Pekka Klinga | 2 | 1986, 1994 |
| 11. | Seppo Kuusela | 2 | 1959–1960 |
| 11. | Timo Lampén | 2 | 1961–1962 |
| 11. | Risto Lignell | 2 | 1979–1980 |
| 11. | Anssi Rauramo | 2 | 1977–1978 |
| 11. | Timo Suviranta | 2 | 1952, 1954 |
| 18. | Anja Bordt | 1 | 1992 |
| 18. | Lea Hakala | 1 | 1981 |
| 18. | Hilkka Hakola | 1 | 1956 |
| 18. | Jouko Heikkinen | 1 | 1983 |
| 18. | Martti Kuisma | 1 | 1995 |
| 18. | Pertti Marttila | 1 | 1985 |
| 18. | Sakari Pehkonen | 1 | 1987 |