Miikka Muurinen Names Top‑7 Schools, Kentucky Still In Play in National Race

Finnish five‑star power forward **Miikka Muurinen** has finalized his list of finalists, trimming a long list of suitors down to just seven programs — including perennial powerhouse **Kentucky**. Muurinen is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, ranked as high as No. 8 nationally and considered the No. 1 power forward in the cycle ([247 Sports][1]).

### 🏀 The Final Seven

Muurinen’s final seven schools, listed alphabetically, include:

* Arkansas
* Duke
* Indiana
* Kentucky
* Michigan
* NC State
* North Carolina ([On3][2])

The Wildcats, under head coach **Mark Pope**, have been in contact with Muurinen since extending an offer last summer after Peach Jam, and Kentucky remains a serious contender in what promises to be a highly competitive recruiting battle ([On3][3]).

### Muurinen’s Profile & Visits

Standing at approximately 6‑foot‑10 with a versatile skill set, Muurinen is a fluid stretch‑four who can knock down threes, drive off the bounce, rebound, and protect the rim. His considerable upside and skill level have attracted heavy interest from blue‑blood programs nationwide ([Phenom Hoops][4]).

To date, he has taken official visits to **Michigan** (Sept. 14) and **Arkansas** (Sept. 20). No other official visits are finalized yet, though Kentucky is expected to host him officially in **fall 2025** ([Phenom Hoops][4]). Indiana’s coaching staff is also working to host him in Bloomington in the coming months ([Hoosier State of Mind][5]).

### What He’s Looking For

In interviews, Muurinen emphasized that his top recruiting criteria include how each school plans to use him on the court. He views himself primarily as a **stretch four**, and he wants a role where he gets to shoot from the top of the key, handle the ball occasionally, catch lobs, and space the floor — fitting the modern dynamics of frontcourt play ([On3][3]).

Regarding Kentucky specifically, Muurinen praised how the Wildcats deploy their bigs, noting their freedom to move, shoot, and play with energy. He complimented **Coach Mark Pope** as a “funny guy with high energy” and expressed excitement about an official visit to Lexington this fall ([On3][3]).

### The Stakes for Kentucky

Kentucky’s recruiting class for 2026 has been highlighted as one of the nation’s strongest, with the Wildcats offering scholarships to 10 of the top 15 prospects in the class, including Muurinen . Landing a versatile high‑level forward like him would not only bolster their roster for the upcoming season but also reinforce the program’s national dominance under Coach Pope.

### Looking Ahead

Expect Muurinen to announce a decision in **fall or early winter 2025**, per his stated timeline. The school that best articulates a clear, tailored role that maximizes his shooting, ball‑handling, and mismatch abilities will likely have the edge.

With seven weeks left in the decision window, Kentucky figures to stay aggressive—it’s official visit season, and the Wildcats are ready to showcase how their system and coaching staff can unlock Muurinen’s full potential. Fans and analysts will keep a close eye on developments, but one thing is certain: wherever Miikka Muurinen lands, he enters college with elite expectations.