View source for Andrei Kirilenko

{{Short description|Russian basketball player (born 1981)}}
{{For|the politician|Andrei Kirilenko (politician)}}
{{family name hatnote|Gennadyevich|Kirilenko|lang=Eastern Slavic}}

{{BLP sources|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Andrei Kirilenko
| image = Andrei Kirilenko in 2024.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Kirilenko in 2024
| position = 
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 9
| weight_lb = 235
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|2|18}}
| birth_place = [[Izhevsk]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
| nationality = Russian / American
| draft_year = 1999
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 24
| draft_team = [[Utah Jazz]]
| career_start = 1997
| career_end = 2015
| career_position = [[Power forward]] / [[small forward]]
| career_number = 47, 15
| years1 = 1997–1998
| team1 = [[BC Spartak St. Petersburg|Spartak St. Petersburg]]
| years2 = 1998–2001
| team2 = [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]]
| years3 = 2001
| team3 = [[KK Partizan|Partizan]]
| years4 = {{nbay|2001|start}}–{{nbay|2010|end}}
| team4 = [[Utah Jazz]]
| years5 = 2011–2012
| team5 =  CSKA Moscow
| years6 = {{nbay|2012|full=y}}
| team6 = [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]
| years7 = {{nbay|2013|start}}–{{nbay|2014|start}}
| team7 = [[Brooklyn Nets]]
| years8 = 2015
| team8 =  CSKA Moscow
| highlights = 
* [[NBA All-Star]] ([[2004 NBA All-Star Game|2004]])
* [[NBA All-Defensive Team|NBA All-Defensive First Team]] ([[2005–06 NBA season|2006]])
* 2× [[NBA All-Defensive Team|NBA All-Defensive Second Team]] ([[2003–04 NBA season|2004]], [[2004–05 NBA season|2005]])
* [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]] ([[2002–03 NBA season|2002]])
* [[List of NBA annual blocks leaders|NBA blocks leader]] ([[2004–05 NBA season|2005]])
* [[FIBA EuroBasket MVP]] ([[EuroBasket 2007|2007]])
* [[EuroLeague MVP]] ([[2011–12 Euroleague|2012]])
* [[All-EuroLeague Team|All-EuroLeague First Team]] ([[2011–12 Euroleague|2012]])
* [[EuroLeague Best Defender]] ([[2011–12 Euroleague|2012]])
* [[EuroLeague season statistical leaders#Rebounds Per Game|EuroLeague rebounding leader]] ([[2011–12 Euroleague|2012]])
* 2× [[EuroLeague season statistical leaders#Blocks Per Game|EuroLeague blocks leader]] ([[2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague|2001]], [[2011–12 Euroleague|2012]])
* 2× [[FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year Award|FIBA Europe Player of the Year]] (2007, 2012)
* [[Euroscar|Euroscar Player of the Year]] (2012)
* [[FIBA EuroStar]] (1999)
* 4× [[Russian Gold Basket awards|Russian Player of the Year]] (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008)
* [[Russian Professional Basketball Championship|Russian League]] MVP (2000)
* [[Russian Professional Basketball League Awards|All-Russian League Symbolic First Team]] (2012)
* [[Russian Professional Basketball League|All-Russian League First Team]] (2012)
* 2× [[VTB United League]] champion ([[2011–12 VTB United League|2012]], [[2014–15 VTB United League|2015]])
* [[VTB United League MVP]] ([[VTB United League 2011–12|2012]])
* [[VTB United League Final Four MVP]] ([[VTB United League 2011–12|2012]])
* [[VTB United League Hall of Fame]] (2019) 
* [[FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP]] (1999)
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 9,431 (11.8 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 4,352 (5.5 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 2,169 (2.7 apg)

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[basketball]]}} 
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|Russia}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 London]] | }} 
{{MedalCompetition|[[EuroBasket]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[EuroBasket 2007|2007 Spain]] | }}
{{MedalBronze| [[EuroBasket 2011|2011 Lithuania]] | }}
}}
'''Andrei Gennadyevich Kirilenko''' ({{langx|ru|Андрей Геннадьевич Кириленко}}; born February 18, 1981), nicknamed '''AK-47''', is a Russian basketball executive and former professional [[basketball]] player. He played 10 seasons for the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) between 2001 and 2011.

At age fifteen, Kirilenko began playing professional basketball in the [[Russian Basketball Super League 1|Russian Basketball Super League]]. He played for [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] from 1998 to 2001, winning league MVP honours in 2000. In 1999, he was selected by the Jazz with the 24th overall pick of the [[1999 NBA draft]]. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round of an NBA draft and the youngest European player ever chosen in the NBA draft.

Kirilenko joined the Jazz in 2001 and played for the team until 2011. He made the [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]], was an [[NBA All-Defensive Team]] pick three times, played in the [[2004 NBA All-Star Game|2004 All-Star Game]], and led the NBA in blocked shots in the 2004–05 season. During the [[2011 NBA lockout]], Kirilenko returned to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow, leading the team to the [[2012 Euroleague Final Four|2012 EuroLeague Final]]. That year, he was named the [[EuroLeague MVP]], earned an [[All-EuroLeague Team|All-EuroLeague first team]] selection and won the [[EuroLeague Best Defender]] award. Kirilenko returned to the NBA for the 2012–13 season to play for the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] before finishing his NBA career as a member of the [[Brooklyn Nets]] in 2013–14.

Kirilenko was a regular member of the [[Russia national basketball team|Russian national team]]. He competed at the [[Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2000 Summer Olympics]] and won the [[EuroBasket]] title in [[EuroBasket 2007|2007]], earning [[FIBA EuroBasket MVP|MVP honors]] in the process. At [[EuroBasket 2011]], he and his team won a bronze medal. He was selected to the [[FIBA EuroBasket All-Tournament Team|All-Tournament Team]] on both occasions. Kirilenko was named [[FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year Award|FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year]] twice and won a [[Euroscar|Euroscar Player of the Year]] award in 2012.

Kirilenko was elected president of the [[Russian Basketball Federation]] in 2015.

==Early life==
Kirilenko was born in the Soviet city of [[Izhevsk]], Russia.<ref name="NBA bio"/> When he was ten, he began playing organized basketball.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

== Professional career ==
=== Spartak St. Petersburg (1997–1998) ===
In 1997, Kirilenko became the youngest player ever to compete in the [[Russian Basketball Super League 1|Russian Super League]], spending two seasons with [[BC Spartak Saint Petersburg|Spartak Saint Petersburg]].

=== CSKA Moscow (1998–2001) ===
Kirilenko joined [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] in 1998. In his first season, he helped his new team win the Russian Super League championship.<ref name="ESPN Mag 2006" /> He was also selected to participate in the Russian All-Star game, helping the West beat the East 138–107 and winning the slam dunk contest.

On June 30, [[1999 NBA draft|1999]], at age {{age in years and days|1981|2|18|1999|6|30}}, Kirilenko was the youngest foreign player at the time to be [[NBA draft|drafted]] in the [[National Basketball Association]], when the [[Utah Jazz]] selected him with the 24th pick. Kirilenko was also the first Russian picked in the first round of an NBA Draft.<ref name="NBA bio">{{cite web|title=Andrei Kirilenko|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko/bio.html|publisher=NBA|access-date=February 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011027234954/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko/bio.html|archive-date=October 27, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he remained with [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] for the next two seasons. In the 1999–2000 season, he helped his team win the championship of the [[North European Basketball League]] and its second Russian Super League championship in a row. On April 23, 2000, he participated in his second Russian All-Star game, helping the West beat the East 122–111. Despite being the odds-on favorite to win the slam dunk contest, he finished second to [[Harold Deane (basketball)|Harold Deane]] of [[BC Lokomotiv Mineralnye Vody|Lokomotiv Mineralnye Vody]].

He showed off his all-around skills in the [[2000–01 SuproLeague]], finishing in the top ten in 7 out of 8 statistical categories.

===Partizan===
In August 2001, Kirilenko signed a contract with Yugoslav team [[KK Partizan|Partizan ICN]] which included an NBA-out clause option.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160501031752/http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2001/08/17/srpski/S01081607.shtml Kirilenko Partizanov] ''[[Glas javnosti]]''</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010909180212/http://www.politika.co.yu/2001/0907/s02.htm Hteo sam da dođem u Partizan] ''[[Politika]]''</ref>

===Utah Jazz (2001–2011)===
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2025}}
Kirilenko joined the [[Utah Jazz]] on a rookie-scale contract in September [[2001–02 NBA season|2001]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Tim |date=September 26, 2001 |title=Jazz sign Kirilenko to deal |url=https://www.deseret.com/2001/9/26/19608470/jazz-sign-kirilenko-to-deal/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=Deseret News}}</ref> On March 15, 2002, when starting in place of injured teammate [[Karl Malone]], Kirilenko scored a then-career-high 27 points during a 100–97 win over the [[Detroit Pistons]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/220315008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821023527/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/220315008|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2023|title=Jazz 100–97 Pistons (Mar 15, 2002) Game Recap|website=ESPN}}</ref> He was named to the first team on the NBA All-Rookie Team. He would emerge as one of the top young players in the NBA, and one of the league's top weak-side defenders. He was selected to play in the 2004 [[National Basketball Association All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]] in Los Angeles. In the [[2003–04 NBA season]], he ranked third in the league in blocked shots per game and fourth in the league in steals per game,<ref name="NBA bio"/> becoming just the second player in NBA history to rank in the top five in both categories ([[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]] ranked first in blocked shots per game and fifth in steals per game in the [[1991–92 NBA season]]). During the NBA off-season, Kirilenko played for the Russian national basketball team.

Kirilenko became the leader of the Jazz in 2003 after [[John Stockton]] retired and [[Karl Malone]] left Utah to join the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref name="ESPN Mag 2006"/> He played and started in 78 of the Utah's 82 games and led them to a 42–40 record. Utah missed the playoffs by one game behind the [[Denver Nuggets]]. He finished fifth in [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]] voting and fourth in [[NBA Most Improved Player Award|Most Improved Player]] voting and was named to the second team on the All-NBA Defensive Team. Kirilenko led the Jazz in many statistical categories:
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev 29 July 2008-3.jpg|thumb|right|Kirilenko with Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] in 2008]]

*Total points: 1,284
*Points per game: 16.5
*Total rebounds: 629
*Rebounds per game: 8.1
*Blocks: 215
*Blocks per game: 2.8
*Steals: 150
*Steals per game: 1.9
*Free throws made: 392
*Free throws attempted: 496
*Three-pointers made: 68
*Three-pointers attempted: 201

In the middle of the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]] against the [[Washington Wizards]], Kirilenko sustained a broken right wrist, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Despite only playing in 41 of 82 games for the Jazz, he amassed enough blocked shots during the season to qualify as the league leader in blocks per game, and was named to the second team on the NBA All-Defensive Team.<ref name="NBA bio"/>

In the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]] Kirilenko was again among the league's best shot blockers and defenders. He recorded a career high 10 blocks against Indiana on March 26, and finished first in the league with total blocks (220) and second in blocks per game with 3.2, just behind league leader [[Marcus Camby]] at 3.3. He was named to the first team on the NBA All-Defensive Team.

Kirilenko averaged 15.3 points, 8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 3.2 blocks and 4.3 assists per game in the 2005–2006 season.

Kirilenko and [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] are the only 2 NBA players who have finished a game with at least 6 steals, 6 blocks, 6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists since 1985–86.

The 2006–2007 season was a tremendous disappointment for Kirilenko. While playing in 70 games and not missing much playing time, he averaged career lows in points (8.3) and field goal attempts (6.0). It has been said that much of this decline can be attributed to the main offensive emphasis on [[Carlos Boozer]], [[Deron Williams]], and [[Mehmet Okur]], and that Kirilenko was uncomfortable losing his position as the main go-to guy on the team. His frustration eventually culminated in a widely publicized breakdown near the end of the Jazz's first-round [[2007 NBA Playoffs#(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Houston Rockets|playoffs series]] against the [[Houston Rockets]]. Kirilenko bounced back to lead Russia to the championship in [[EuroBasket 2007]], and was named MVP of the tournament. Following his performance in the 2007 EuroBasket, he asked to be released from his contract to return to Russia to play basketball.
[[File:Kirilenko (cropped).jpg|thumb|Kirilenko with the [[Utah Jazz|Jazz]] in 2008]]
Despite the trade rumors and controversy created by these statements, he rebounded in the [[2007–08 NBA season]] and backed off on trade demands. His statistics for the 2007–08 NBA season were 11.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 spg, and 1.5 bpg, all of which were improvements over his previous season's stats (with the exception of blocks and rebounds). He worked out personally with former Jazz shooting guard [[Jeff Hornacek]] on his shooting in the 2007 off-season, and his field goal percentage improved from 47% to 51%. Most impressively, his 3-point shooting improved from 21% to a career-high 38%.

=== Return to CSKA (2011–2012) ===
Amid the [[2011 NBA lockout]], Kirilenko returned to Russia to play for his old team [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]].<ref>[http://www.cskabasket.com/news/?a=news&id=10436&lang=en Andrei Kirilenko returns to CSKA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602152342/http://www.cskabasket.com/news/?a=news&id=10436&lang=en |date=June 2, 2013 }}. Cskabasket.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2012.</ref> Although the lockout was resolved in December, Kirilenko remained with CSKA Moscow for the rest of the season rather than pursuing an immediate return to the NBA. Over 17 games in the EuroLeague, he averaged 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game, leading the team to the [[2012 Euroleague Final Four|2012 EuroLeague Final]].{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} Kirilenko was named the [[EuroLeague MVP]], earned an [[All-EuroLeague Team|All-EuroLeague first team]] selection and won the [[EuroLeague Best Defender]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/|title=Euroleague Basketball|website=Euroleague Basketball}}</ref>

===Minnesota Timberwolves (2012–2013)===
On July 27, 2012, Kirilenko signed with the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-sign-veteran-forward-andrei-kirilenko|title=Timberwolves Sign Veteran Forward Andrei Kirilenko|website=www.nba.com}}</ref> He was the team's starting [[small forward]], playing in 64 games during the [[2012–13 NBA season]]. Kirilenko missed 18 games because of back spasms,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/billups-returns-clippers-beat-wolves-061832857--nba.html|title=Billups returns, Clippers beat Wolves 101–95|author=Resnick, Joe|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=November 29, 2012}}</ref> then a right quadriceps strain,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/aldridge-blazers-hang-beat-wolves-034012919--nba.html|title=Aldridge, Blazers hang on to beat Wolves 100–98|author=Campbell, Dave|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> and finally a calf strain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/suns-survive-ot-84-83-050800268--nba.html|title=Suns survive OT for 84–83 win over Wolves|author=Marshall, John|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=February 27, 2013}}</ref> He finished the season with averages of 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a 51% field goal percentage per game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko/career_stats.html|title=Andrei Kirilenko Career Stats|work=NBA.com|access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207021204/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko/career_stats.html|archive-date=December 7, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> He had his best game on November 14, 2012, when he had 26 points and 12 rebounds on an 89–87 loss to the [[Charlotte Bobcats]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/walkers-jumper-lifts-bobcats-over-034108957--nba.html|title=Walker's jumper lifts Bobcats over Wolves, 89–87|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|author=Krawczynski, Jon|date=November 14, 2012}}</ref> On June 29, 2013, Kirilenko opted out of the final year of his contract with the Timberwolves (worth $10 million) to become a free agent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andrei Kirilenko opts for free agency over Timberwolves |website=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417111627/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/twolves/2013/06/29/andrei-kirilenko-free-agency-minnesota-timberwolves/2475423/ |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |url-status=live |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/twolves/2013/06/29/andrei-kirilenko-free-agency-minnesota-timberwolves/2475423/}}</ref>

===Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014)===
On July 12, 2013, Kirilenko signed a two-year deal with the [[Brooklyn Nets]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Nets sign Andrei Kirilenko|url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=13744|work=InsideHoops.com|date=July 12, 2013|access-date=July 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910092728/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=13744|archive-date=September 10, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 23, 2014, he exercised his $3.3 million player option, re-signing with the Nets for the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kirilenko opts in, will remain with Nets|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/19434/kirilenko-opts-in-will-remain-with-nets|publisher=ESPN|date=June 23, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014}}</ref> On November 21, 2014, he took a leave of absence from the Nets for personal reasons.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wells|first=Adam|title=Andrei Kirilenko Takes Leave of Absence from Nets: Latest Details and Reaction|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2275887-andrei-kirilenko-takes-leave-of-absence-from-nets-latest-details-and-reaction|work=BleacherReport.com|date=November 21, 2014|access-date=November 21, 2014}}</ref>

On December 11, 2014, Kirilenko was traded, along with [[Jorge Gutiérrez (basketball)|Jorge Gutiérrez]], the Nets' second round draft pick in 2020 and the right to swap second round picks in 2018, to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in exchange for [[Brandon Davies]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/141211-trade|title=Sixers Complete Trade With Nets|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref> The 76ers suspended Kirilenko without pay on January 9, 2015, for failing to report after the trade,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--76ers-suspend-andrei-kirilenko-for-failure-to-report-161453666.html|title=Sources: 76ers suspend Andrei Kirilenko for failure to report|first=Adrian|last=Wojnarowski|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=January 9, 2015|access-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref> and on February 21, he was waived by the 76ers before playing in a game for them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.libertyballers.com/2015/2/21/8083175/sixers-waive-andrei-kirilenko|title=Sixers Waive Andrei Kirilenko|first=Kyle|last=Neubeck|date=February 21, 2015|website=Liberty Ballers}}</ref>

=== Third stint with CSKA (2015) ===
On February 24, 2015, Kirilenko signed with CSKA Moscow of the [[VTB United League]] for the rest of the 2014–15 season, returning to the club for a third stint.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andrei Kirilenko signs in Russia|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12373078/andrei-kirilenko-signs-cska-moscow|publisher=ESPN|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=CSKA brings back former MVP Kirilenko|url=http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/5rvhd3qi6mt55nab/cska-brings-back-former-mvp-kirilenko|work=Euroleague.net|access-date=February 24, 2015}}</ref> With Kirilenko at the club for the second half of the season, CSKA Moscow managed to advance to the [[2015 EuroLeague Final Four|EuroLeague Final Four]] for the fourth straight season, after eliminating [[Panathinaikos B.C.|Panathinaikos]] for the second straight season in the [[2014–15 Euroleague Quarter-finals|quarterfinals]], with a 3–1 series win.<ref>{{cite news|title=CSKA Moscow routs Panathinaikos to claim Final Four berth|url=http://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame?gamecode=246&seasoncode=E2014#!report|access-date=May 18, 2015|work=euroleague.net|date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> However, in the semi-final game, despite being dubbed by media as an absolute favorite to advance, Kirilenko's team, CSKA, once again lost to [[Olympiacos B.C.|Olympiacos]]. The final score was 70–68, after a great Olympiacos comeback in the fourth quarter, led by [[Vassilis Spanoulis]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Spanoulis comes through again as Olympiacos stuns CSKA|url=http://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame?gamecode=249&seasoncode=E2014#!report|access-date=May 18, 2015|work=euroleague.net|date=May 15, 2015}}</ref> CSKA Moscow eventually won the third place game, after defeating [[Fenerbahçe Men's Basketball|Fenerbahçe]] 86–80.<ref>{{cite news|title=CSKA Moscow beats Fenerbahçe in third-place game|url=http://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame?gamecode=250&seasoncode=E2014#!report|access-date=May 18, 2015|work=eurolague.net|date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> Over 11 games played in the EuroLeague, he averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. CSKA Moscow finished the season by winning the [[2014–15 VTB United League|VTB United League]], after eliminating [[BC Khimki|Khimki]] with a 3–0 series win in the league's finals series.<ref>{{cite news|title=CSKA wins championship! |url=http://www.vtb-league.com/en/news/cska-wins-championship.htm |access-date=June 10, 2015 |work=vtb-league.com |date=June 8, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610135415/http://www.vtb-league.com/en/news/cska-wins-championship.htm |archive-date=June 10, 2015 }}</ref>

On June 23, 2015, Kirilenko announced his retirement as a professional basketball player.<ref>{{cite news|title=Andrei Kirilenko retiring; forward played 13 seasons in NBA|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13136592/andrei-kirilenko-says-retiring-basketball|access-date=June 23, 2015|publisher=ESPN|date=June 23, 2015}}</ref>

==National team career==
[[File:Russia national basketball team.jpg|thumb|Kirilenko with some of his teammates from the [[Russia men's national basketball team|Russian national basketball team]] in 2011.]]
As a member of the Russian junior national team, Kirilenko was [[FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP|the MVP]] of the 1999 [[FIBA Under-19 World Cup]]. Kirilenko's first major international tournament with the senior [[Russian national basketball team]] was at the [[Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2000 Summer Olympics]], where Russia finished the games in 8th place. Later, he played at the [[EuroBasket 2001]], where Russia finished 5th among 16 teams. The only time that Kirilenko played in a [[FIBA World Cup]] was at the [[2002 FIBA World Championship]], where the Russian team finished 10th out of 16 teams. Kirilenko has also played at 4 more [[EuroBasket]]s: the [[EuroBasket 2003]], the [[EuroBasket 2005]], the [[EuroBasket 2007]], where he won the gold medal of the competition, and was named the [[FIBA EuroBasket MVP|MVP of the tournament]], and the [[EuroBasket 2011]]. With the win in the 2007 EuroBasket, Russia qualified to the [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2008 Summer Olympics]], where Kirilenko also played for Russia, and he was also named Russia's [[flag bearer]] for the [[Opening Ceremony]] of the games.

In the first game of the 2008 Olympics tournament against [[Iran national basketball team|Iran]], Kirilenko scored 15 points, pulled down 5 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130102142642/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/scheResu/p/eventid/4004/gamename/1/groupname/A/langlc/en/lid_23307_opennodeids//roundid/6450/fe_scheStat_boxScor.html Game: RUSSIA vs IRAN (Group A)]. Fiba.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2012.</ref> Against [[Croatia national basketball team|Croatia]], he led his team in points scored with 18, and he scored his personal best in the games against [[Argentina national basketball team|Argentina]], scoring 23.

Kirilenko won a bronze medal with Russia at the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 19, 2024 |title=Andrei KIRILENKO |url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/andrei-kirilenko |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=olympics.com}}</ref>

==Executive career==
In August 2015, Kirilenko was elected president of the [[Russian Basketball Federation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2015/08/25/former-jazzman-andrei-kirilenko-elected-head-of-russian-basketball/|title=Former Jazzman Andrei Kirilenko elected head of Russian basketball|website=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref> He was re-elected to the post in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba/1092152/andrei-kirilenko-re-elected-as-president-of-the-russian-basketball-federation/|title=Andrei Kirilenko re-elected as President of the Russian Basketball Federation|date=August 20, 2020|website=Eurohoops}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{Euroleague player statistics legend}}

===NBA===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#CFECEC; width:1em"|*
| Led the league
|}

====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2001}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2001–02 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''82''' || 40 || 26.2 || .450 || .250 || .768 || 4.9 || 1.1 || 1.4 || 1.9 || 10.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2002}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 80 || 11 || 27.7 || .491 || .325 || '''.800''' || 5.3 || 1.7 || 1.5 || 2.2 || 12.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2003}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003–04 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 78 || '''78''' || 37.1 || .443 || .338 || .790 || '''8.1''' || 3.1 || '''1.9''' || 2.8 || '''16.5'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2004}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2004–05 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 41 || 37 || 32.9 || .493 || .299 || .784 || 6.2 || 3.2 || 1.6 || style="background:#CFECEC;"|'''3.3*''' || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2005}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2005–06 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 69 || 63 || '''37.7''' || .460 || .308 || .699 || 8.0 || '''4.3''' || 1.5 || 3.2 || 15.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2006}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 70 || 70 || 29.3 || .471 || .213 || .728 || 4.7 || 2.9 || 1.1 || 2.1 || 8.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2007}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007–08 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 72 || 72 || 30.8 || .506 || '''.379''' || .770 || 4.7 || 4.0 || 1.2 || 1.5 || 11.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2008}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 67 || 10 || 27.3 || .449 || .274 || .785 || 4.8 || 2.6 || 1.2 || 1.1 || 11.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2009}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009–10 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 58 || 35 || 29.0 || .506 || .292 || .744 || 4.6 || 2.7 || 1.4 || 1.2 || 11.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2010}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010–11 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 64 || 62 || 31.2 || .467 || .367 || .770 || 5.1 || 3.0 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 11.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2012}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2012–13 Minnesota Timberwolves season|Minnesota]]
| 64 || 64 || 31.8 || .507 || .292 || .752 || 5.7 || 2.8 || 1.5 || 1.0 || 12.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2013}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013–14 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]
| 45 || 4 || 19.0 || '''.513''' || .200 || .513 || 3.2 || 1.6 || .9 || .4 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2014}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014–15 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]
| 7 || 0 || 5.1 || 0.0 || 0.0 || .750 || 1.1 || .1 || .1 || .0 || .4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 797 || 546 || 30.2 || .474 || .310 || .754 || 5.5 || 2.7 || 1.4 || 1.8 || 11.8
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| All-Star
| 1 || 0 || 12.0 || .333 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0 || 2.0
{{S-end}}

====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002 NBA Playoffs|2002]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2001–02 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 4 || 4 || 30.5 || .393 || .000 || .813 || 3.8 || 1.0 || 1.8 || '''2.5''' || 8.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2003 NBA Playoffs|2003]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2002–03 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 0 || 29.0 || .419 || .143 || .875 || 4.8 || 1.4 || .6 || 2.0 || '''11.6'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007 NBA Playoffs|2007]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2006–07 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| '''17'''|| '''17''' || 31.0 || .447 || '''.333''' || .785 || '''5.2''' || '''2.6''' || .9 || 2.4 || 9.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008 NBA Playoffs|2008]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2007–08 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 12 || 12 || '''32.3''' || .447 || .227 || .714 || 3.4 || 2.5 || 1.5 || 1.7 || 11.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009 NBA Playoffs|2009]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2008–09 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 5 || 3 || 27.2 || .468 || .200 || .714 || 2.8 || 2.0 || '''2.2''' || .6 || 11.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2010 NBA Playoffs|2010]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2009–10 Utah Jazz season|Utah]]
| 2 || 0 || 15.0 || '''.500''' || .000 || '''1.000''' || 3.0 || .0 || .5 || .5 || 5.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014 NBA Playoffs|2014]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2013–14 Brooklyn Nets season|Brooklyn]]
| 10 || 0 || 14.4 || .467 || .000 || .647 || 2.3 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .3 || 2.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 55 || 36 || 27.1 || .445 || .208 || .767 || 3.9 || 1.9 || 1.2 || 1.6 || 8.7
{{S-end}}

===EuroLeague===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#CFECEC; width:1em"|*
| Led the league
|}

{{Euroleague player statistics start}}
|-
! colspan="15" | [[FIBA EuroLeague]] 
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1998–99 FIBA EuroLeague|1998–99]]
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]]
| 7 || 0 || 9.0 || '''.625''' || .000 || '''.773''' || 1.4 || .1 || 1.1 || .0 || 5.3 || 9.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1999–00 FIBA EuroLeague|1999–00]]
| 19 || 19 || 26.9 || .579 || .200 || .646 || 6.2 || 1.8 || '''2.5''' || .5 || 11.5 || 21.1
|-
! colspan="15" | [[FIBA SuproLeague]] 
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | [[2000–01 FIBA SuproLeague|2000–01]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]]
| '''22''' || '''22''' || '''33.7''' || .575 || .281 || .647 || '''9.2''' || '''2.6''' || 2.0 || style="background:#CFECEC;"|'''2.1'''* || 13.9 || '''27.0'''
|-
! colspan="14" | [[EuroLeague]] 
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2011–12 Euroleague|2011–12]]
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| [[PBC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]]
| 17 || 17 || 29.9 || .533 || .417 || .758 || style="background:#CFECEC;"|7.5* || 2.4 || 1.5 || style="background:#CFECEC;"|1.9* || '''14.1''' || style="background:#CFECEC;"|24.2*
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[2014–15 Euroleague|2014–15]]
| 11 || 9 || 19.3 || .518 || '''.462''' || .682 || 5.3 || 1.2 || 1.1 || 1.2 || 8.5 || 13.9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 76 || 67 || 26.8 || .561 || .342 || .687 || 6.8 || 1.9 || 1.8 || 1.4 || 11.8 || 21.3
{{S-end}}

==Player profile==
[[File:Kirilenko guards Delk.jpg|thumb|Kirilenko in 2006 as a member of the Utah Jazz.]]
Kirilenko was a versatile "big man" who could play either forward spot. He was noted for his high-level play in both offense (11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game NBA career averages) and defense (twice topping three blocks per game for a season). On offense, he was proficient in drawing fouls, passing, and possessed a quick first step. He was three times selected into the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team. Staples of Kirilenko's defensive power were his shot blocking (with an NBA career average of 1.8 per game) and in stealing the ball (NBA career average of 1.4 per game).<ref>[http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko/career_stats.html Andrei Kirilenko Career Stats Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207021204/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrei_kirilenko/career_stats.html |date=December 7, 2006 }}. NBA.com. Retrieved on May 11, 2012.</ref>

On January 3, 2006, against the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], Kirilenko posted a stat line of 14 points, 8 [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]], 9 [[assist (basketball)|assists]], 6 [[steal (basketball)|steals]], and 7 [[block (basketball)|blocks]]. This was the third time in his career he achieved a [[Five-by-five (basketball)|five-by-five]], making him one of only three players (the others being [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] and [[Victor Wembanyama]]) to achieve this feat more than once in NBA history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ballislife.com/a-tribute-to-andrei-kirilenko-aka-ak-47/|title=Andrei Kirilenko Retires &#124; A Tribute to AK-47|website=ballislife.com|date=June 30, 2015 }}</ref> It was also the first-ever regulation "5×6" — a game in which a player registers at least 6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 blocks, and 6 steals — since the NBA began recording blocks and steals in the [[1973–74 NBA season|1973–74 season]]. In 1987, Olajuwon had 38 points, 17 rebounds, 12 blocks, 7 steals, and 6 assists for the [[Houston Rockets]], in a double-overtime win over the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], the only other time a player has earned a 5×6.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-060106-08 ESPN.com – NBA – SPECIAL WEEKEND EDITION Pistons playing with purpose]. Sports.espn.go.com (January 12, 2006). Retrieved on May 11, 2012.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081229034113/http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/five_by_five.html Five-by-Fives (Since the 1986–87 Season)]. basketball-reference.com</ref>

In June 2015, [[FiveThirtyEight]] reviewed Kirilenko's statistics, finding that his efficiency in scoring, steals, blocks, assists, offensive rebounds, and all-around versatility would justify consideration for the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]].<ref name="2015-06-24_538">[https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/ode-to-the-underrated-andrei-kirilenko-edition/ Ode To The Underrated: Andrei Kirilenko Edition], Neil Paine, [[FiveThirtyEight]].com, June 24, 2015</ref>

Kirilenko is nicknamed "AK-47" in reference to his initials, the jersey number he wore, and the [[AK-47]] rifle. Coincidentally, Kirilenko was born in the city of [[Izhevsk]], in the former Soviet Union (now in Russia) where the weapon was first manufactured.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=6015994 "Andrei Kirilenko becomes U.S. citizen"], ESPN</ref>

==Personal life==
Kirilenko is married to Russian pop singer Masha "Marina" Lopatova, whose stage name is MaLo. Lopatova is the daughter of Russian basketball player [[Andrey Lopatov]]. Kirilenko met Lopatova at a youth basketball camp in Moscow, and Kirilenko appeared in one of Lopatova's music videos.<ref>{{citation|title=Sports Beat|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1143061/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223430/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1143061/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2011|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=January 27, 2003|volume=98|issue=3}}</ref> In January 2011, Kirilenko and his wife acquired [[citizenship in the United States|American citizenship]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sorensen|first=Mike|title=Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko becomes U.S. citizen|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/1/11/20166372/utah-jazz-andrei-kirilenko-becomes-u-s-citizen/|work=Deseret News|access-date=February 22, 2011|date=January 11, 2011}}</ref> The couple have three sons, Fedor, Stepan and Andrey, and a daughter named Alexandra.<ref name="ESPN Mag 2006">{{cite web|last=Nielsen|first=Chad|title=Perfect fit|url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3704410|work=ESPN The Magazine|access-date=February 22, 2011|date=March 13, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slcdunk.com/2015/2/10/8014705/nba-trade-rumors-2015-andrei-kirilenko-76ers-nets-masha-kirilenko|title=Trade Rumors: Masha has baby, can AK-47 play now?|date=February 10, 2015|website=SLC Dunk}}</ref><ref name="DN 2005">{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Valerie |title=From Russia with love – Masha Kirilenko's recipe for feeding an athlete |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/600122167/From-Russia-with-love--Masha-Kirilenkos-recipe-for-feeding-an-athlete.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704031017/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/600122167/From-Russia-with-love--Masha-Kirilenkos-recipe-for-feeding-an-athlete.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 4, 2009 |work=Deseret News |date=March 29, 2005 |access-date=February 22, 2011 }}</ref> They live in Los Angeles.

Sources suggest Kirilenko was a [[World of Warcraft]] (WoW) gamer while playing in the NBA. In the words of former NBA player [[Channing Frye]], he shared a story about being up at 3 a.m. the night before an NBA game while playing WoW, when he noticed Kirilenko was online as well. Frye asked Kirilenko "Aren’t you playing tomorrow?", referring to the next day's NBA game, and Kirilenko replied "Yeah, probably."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/3/28/15086530/tim-duncan-world-of-warcraft-guardians-of-the-galaxy-spurs-podcast|title=Tim Duncan is a giant nerd and it makes us love him even more|date=March 28, 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Sports}}
* [[List of NBA career blocks leaders]]
* [[List of NBA annual blocks leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-game blocks leaders]]
* [[2008 Summer Olympics national flag bearers]]
* [[List of European basketball players in the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist|35em}}
<!--READ ME!! PLEASE DO NOT JUST ADD NEW NOTES AT THE BOTTOM. See the instructions above on ordering. -->

==External links==
{{commons category|Andrei Kirilenko}}
* {{basketballstats|bbr=k/kirilan01}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20031203234436/http://www.kirilenko.ru/ Former official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080811222806/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BIO/Athlete/5/200235.shtml Andrei Kirilenko] at beijing2008.cn
* {{Eurobasket.com player|16325}}
* [https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andrei-kirilenko/003530/ Andrei Kirilenko] at euroleague.net
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150905233023/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/24490/sid/6229/tid/381/_/2012_FIBA_World_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament/index.html Andrei Kirilenko] at fiba.com

{{Navboxes|list=
{{S-start}}
{{s-sports|oly}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Alexander Popov (swimmer)|Alexander Popov]]
| title = [[List of flag bearers for Russia at the Olympics|Flagbearer]] for {{flagu|Russia}}
| years = [[2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing 2008]]
| after = [[Maria Sharapova]]
}}
{{S-end}}
{{1999 NBA draft}}
{{NBA blocks leaders}}
{{Russia Squad EuroBasket 2007}}
{{Russia Squad EuroBasket 2011}}
{{Russia Men Basketball Squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{EuroBasket MVP Award}}
{{United League MVPs}}
{{United League Final Four MVPs}}
{{Euroleague Best Defender}}
{{Euroleague MVP Award}}
{{FIBA Under-19 World Championship MVP}}
{{Euroscar|state=collapsed}}
{{FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award|state=collapsed}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirilenko, Andrei}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2002 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:BC Spartak Saint Petersburg players]]
[[Category:KK Partizan players]]
[[Category:Brooklyn Nets players]]
[[Category:Euroscar award winners]]
[[Category:FIBA EuroBasket–winning players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Minnesota Timberwolves players]]
[[Category:NBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:NBA players from Russia]]
[[Category:Olympic basketball players for Russia]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Russia]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:PBC CSKA Moscow players]]
[[Category:Power forwards]]
[[Category:Russian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Russian expatriate basketball people in the United States]]
[[Category:Russian men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Small forwards]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Izhevsk]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Saint Petersburg]]
[[Category:Utah Jazz draft picks]]
[[Category:Utah Jazz players]]
[[Category:21st-century Russian sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century Russian sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]