Andrei Kirilenko
Andrei Kirilenko was born in the Soviet city of Izhevsk on the 18th of February 1981. The same place that manufactured the AK-47 rifle would later give him his nickname. He began playing organized basketball at age ten. By 1997, he became the youngest player ever to compete in the Russian Super League while with Spartak St. Petersburg. His rapid ascent continued as he joined CSKA Moscow in 1998. That first season brought a Russian Super League championship for his new team. He also won the slam dunk contest during the Russian All-Star game. In 1999, he made history by becoming the youngest foreign player drafted into the NBA. Utah selected him with the 24th pick. This marked the first time a Russian player went in the first round of an NBA draft.
Kirilenko joined the Utah Jazz in September 2001 on a rookie-scale contract. On the 15th of March 2002, he scored a career-high 27 points against the Detroit Pistons. He earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team shortly after. By 2003, he led the Jazz after John Stockton retired and Karl Malone left. He started 78 of 82 games that season. The team finished 42, 40 but missed the playoffs by one game. Kirilenko ranked third in blocked shots per game and fourth in steals per game during the 2003, 04 season. He became only the second player to rank in the top five for both categories. His defensive impact grew as he was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team. He averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds while leading the league in blocks per game during the 2004, 05 season despite playing only 41 games due to injury.
Kirilenko played at the 2000 Summer Olympics where Russia finished eighth. He competed in EuroBasket 2001 with his national team finishing fifth among sixteen teams. A major turning point came at EuroBasket 2007 when he won the gold medal. He earned MVP honors for the tournament. This victory qualified Russia for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He served as Russias flag bearer during the opening ceremony. In the first game against Iran, he scored 15 points and blocked three shots. Against Croatia, he led his team with 18 points. He scored a personal best of 23 points against Argentina. The Russian team later won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Kirilenko was selected to the All-Tournament Team on both EuroBasket occasions.
On the 3rd of January 2006, against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kirilenko posted 14 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 6 steals, and 7 blocks. This marked the third time in his career achieving five-by-five statistics. Only Hakeem Olajuwon and Victor Wembanyama have done this more than once in NBA history. It was also the first regulation 5×6 since the league began recording blocks and steals in 1973, 74. A 5×6 requires at least six points, six rebounds, six assists, six blocks, and six steals. Olajuwon achieved the only other instance in 1987 with 38 points, 17 rebounds, 12 blocks, seven steals, and six assists. In June 2015, FiveThirtyEight reviewed his stats for Hall of Fame consideration. They found his efficiency justified such recognition across scoring, steals, blocks, assists, and offensive rebounds.
Amid the 2011 NBA lockout, Kirilenko returned to CSKA Moscow. He played 17 games averaging 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. The team reached the 2012 EuroLeague Final where he won MVP honors. He earned an All-EuroLeague First Team selection and the Best Defender award. On the 27th of July 2012, he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed 18 games due to back spasms and leg strains. His best game came on the 14th of November 2012, against Charlotte Bobcats with 26 points and 12 rebounds. He opted out of his final contract year worth $10 million on the 29th of June 2013. He later signed a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2013. On the 24th of February 2015, he returned to CSKA Moscow for a third stint. He announced retirement as a professional player on the 23rd of June 2015. In August 2015, he was elected president of the Russian Basketball Federation.
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Common questions
When and where was Andrei Kirilenko born?
Andrei Kirilenko was born in the Soviet city of Izhevsk on the 18th of February 1981. The same place that manufactured the AK-47 rifle would later give him his nickname.
What historic NBA draft milestone did Andrei Kirilenko achieve in 1999?
In 1999, Andrei Kirilenko became the youngest foreign player drafted into the NBA when Utah selected him with the 24th pick. This marked the first time a Russian player went in the first round of an NBA draft.
How many times has Andrei Kirilenko recorded five-by-five statistics in his career?
On the 3rd of January 2006, against the Los Angeles Lakers, Andrei Kirilenko posted 14 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 6 steals, and 7 blocks to mark the third time he achieved five-by-five statistics. Only Hakeem Olajuwon and Victor Wembanyama have done this more than once in NBA history.
Which major international tournament did Andrei Kirilenko win gold at in 2007?
A major turning point came at EuroBasket 2007 when Andrei Kirilenko won the gold medal and earned MVP honors for the tournament. He was also selected to the All-Tournament Team on both EuroBasket occasions.
When did Andrei Kirilenko announce his retirement from professional basketball?
Andrei Kirilenko announced retirement as a professional player on the 23rd of June 2015. In August 2015, he was elected president of the Russian Basketball Federation.