If it weren't for the late John McCain, Lauri Markkanen's career path may have taken a different route.
The 21-year-old rising Bulls star went on Twitter on Sunday morning to thank McCain, who passed away from brain cancer on Saturday, for helping him get a visa to play basketball in the United States.
Here's what Markkanen had to say:
Rest In peace @SenJohnMcCain, I will forever be grateful for you helping a kid from Finland get a visa to live out my dream of playing basketball in the States
— Lauri Markkanen (@MarkkanenLauri) August 26, 2018
A big Arizona Wildcats fan, McCain offered his assistance to Markkanen prior to the 2016-17 college basketball season.