Finnish professional basketball player Lauri Markkanen of the NBA team Utah Jazz starts his military service at the Finnish Defence Forces Sports School in Santahamina, Helsinki, Monday April 17, 2023. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto/Lehtikuva via AP) A recruit in the Finnish military is now the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) reacts after a dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz was announced Monday night as the winner of this season’s most improved award, as voted on by 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the league. The news came just past 2 a.m. Tuesday in Helsinki, where Markkanen is currently fulfilling the military service that is mandated for all Finnish men before they turn 30. “Didn’t wake up at 2 a.m. for nothing,” Markkanen said on the TNT broadcast of the announcement. “It feels great. Obviously, it’s a huge privilege to be in this position.” He began his enlistment in his home country earlier this month — even getting rid of his longish curly hair for the shaved-head look of a