Petteri Koponen was named Finnish Athlete of the Year11 january 2014

BC Khimki guard Petteri Koponen was named 'Finnish Athlete of the Year' by the readers of national newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

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.