Rick Bowmer, AP
Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio defends as Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (24) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
SALT LAKE CITY—Twenty years ago last Wednesday, the Utah Runnin’ Utes began a season that saw them go all the way to the national championship game before falling to the Kentucky Wildcats.
The third leading scorer on that Utah team was sophomore forward Hanno Mottola, who came to the Beehive State from Finland. Following two more successful seasons playing for the unforgettable Rick Majerus, Mottola was selected 40th overall in the 2000 draft by the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the first Finnish-born player in NBA history.