The sharp-shooting guard was chosen by the Finnish public as the best among 17 athletes from different sports, in what represents a significant distinction for basketball in the Scandinavian country.

Petteri Koponen:

— Niklas Moisander has played for Ajax and the football national team brilliantly and [Formula 1 driver] Kimi Raikkonen is brilliant, so maybe this choice tells us that basketball's popularity has increased in Finland.

Petteri Koponen is also a candidate for the FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award.