Jami Thompson
Former NBA player and current commissioner of the Russian Basketball Federation, Andrei Gennadyevich Kirilenko is a Russian-American basketball executive.
Kirilenko started playing basketball professionally in the Russian Basketball Super League at the age of fifteen.
Early Life & Family
On February 18, 1981, NBA player Andrei Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, Russia.
In St. Petersburg, his father, Gennady Kirilenko, coached football for young people. Olga, Andrei’s mother, was a talented athlete.
She was a professional basketball player in her youth, competing for a number of well-known teams including Spartak, Petrel, etc.
However, four months after his birth, his mother came back, and Andrei spent his formative years in St. Petersburg.
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He was initially more interested in football and swimming. Andrei gradually changed his sport to basketball and grew much taller than the average Russian child.
He began participating in organized basketball events at the age of 10.
In the meanwhile, he joined his hometown basketball team and regularly began playing in junior tournaments.
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Professional Career
Russian basketball phenom Kirilenko entered the professional ranks in 1997. But he was already committed to Spartak Saint Petersburg.
He was the Russian Super League player with the youngest age at the time.
Even though he was still a young man, he had enough experience to go up against the best players in the league.
As a result, in 1998, Andrei left CSKA Petersburg after serving there for two years.
His effort was important in Moscow’s victory over the Russian League in 1999.
Around that time, he also made his debut on the international stage, which contributed to his international success.
As a result, the player registered for the 1999 NBA draft, when he was chosen by the prestigious Utah Jazz.
Nevertheless, he remained with Moscow until 2001.
For two more seasons, he played for the Russian club, and in 2000, he once more assisted his group in winning the Russian Super League.
NBA Career
The Utah Jazz selected Andrei, who was 18 at the time, with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 1999 draft. After getting selected, he became the first Russian to ever play in the NBA.
In 2001, after completing his duties with his Moscow team, he joined the Jazz.
The gifted young Russian had a standout debut season for his team, excelling on both the offensive and defensive ends.
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He was thus selected by the NBA for the All-Rookie first team, and he experienced quick success.
He finished his rookie season with an average of 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Before 2011, Andrei participated in nine more NBA seasons for the Utah Jazz.
But gradually the club won him over. Before being moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves, he played for the next four seasons.
In the interim, he returned to Russia to compete in the 2012 EuroLeague for his former side, CSKA Moscow.
After returning from Europe, Kirilenko continued to play for three more seasons with two different teams.
He only had one notable season after 2011 with the Timberwolves. Andrei failed to appear after being traded by the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015.
He was consequently suspended by the team, and he never returned to the NBA.
Life After Retirement
Andrei is still a fan of basketball even if he quit participating in it in all of its forms in 2015.
Shortly after retiring, he was elected president of the Russian Basketball Federation. He was re-elected in 2020 when his first term as its head came to an end.
He has also taken an active role in the FIBA central board.
National Team Career
He has represented Russia in a number of international competitions since he was a teenager in addition to his club career.
He made his international debut at the 1999 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he was named the event’s Most Valuable Player.
In addition, he debuted for the senior national team in the 2000 Summer Olympics. They came in seventh in the basketball competition.
Since then, he has worn a Russian uniform while competing in a variety of events, such as the EuroBasket and the FIBA World Cup.
When he represented Russia, his greatest achievement was helping the country win the 2007 EuroBasket.
Awards & Achievements
- FIBA Europe Men’s Basketball Player of the Year (2007, 2012)
- Russian League MVP (2000)
- NBA blocks leader (2005)
- VTB United League MVP (2012)
- Russian Player of the Year (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008)
- NBA All-Star (2004)
- The Euroscar Player of the Year (2012)
- NBA All-Defensive First Team (2006)
- EuroLeague MVP (2012)
- Gold medal in the 2007 EuroBasket
- Bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics
Net Worth, Salary & Career Earnings
According to sources, Andrei Kirilenko has a net worth of about $50 million.
Playing in the NBA brought him a lot of money in America. He was chosen by the Jazz in the 1999 draft, and despite the fact that he didn’t participate in any games, the franchise nevertheless paid him a payment of around $0.6 million.
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Andrei received nearly $0.84 for his first year working there.
He played with the Jazz for eleven seasons as a result of the organization never giving up on him. He had earned about $17 million for them the season before.
The Russian player’s total earnings during his NBA career reached $108 million.
Andrei Kirilenko | Personal Life
A well-known Russian businesswoman and artist named Masha Kirilenko are married to Andrei Kirilenko. Her stage moniker, MaLo, is how her supporters know her.
Kirilenko had first met Natasha at a youth basketball game in Moscow in the late 1990s. Even though he was still a youngster, he had already started laying the foundation for his entry into the professional league.
Little Andrei even made a cameo in one of her music videos after the two rapidly bonded.
They eventually got married and relocated to America together after he began playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA.
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The adorable couple is proud to be the parents of four kids. Their first kid, Fyodor, was born in 2002.
Additionally, their two boys, Stepan and Andrey, were born in 2007 and 2015, respectively. Alexandra, a daughter, was also born to them in 2005.
Masha is a very liberal individual with an unexpected perspective on dating. For instance, she once remarked that she would permit Andrei to cheat on her once a year if he so desired.
Age, Weight & Height
Andrei will be 41 years old in 2022.
Likewise, he is 6.9 feet tall (2.06 meters) and weighs about 235 pounds (107 kg).
Social Media Presence
Instagram: @ak47russ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Andrei Kirilenko right now?
Currently, Andrei Kirilenko splits his time between Moscow, Russia, and Los Angeles, USA. He is no longer playing in a professional league and is no longer employed as a basketball executive.
Is Andrei Kirilenko a Hall of Famer?
Andrei Kirilenko is not a member of the Hall of Fame. He was, nonetheless, among the best forwards of his era.
What is Andrei Kirilenko tattoo?
Andrei Kirilenko, a former NBA All-Star, got his video game avatar tattooed on his back. It wasn’t simply that Andrei Kirilenko was Russian or that his initials, his number, or his moniker were “AK-47.” Therefore, Kirilenko might have earned the moniker.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Andrei Gennadyevich Kirilenko |
| Known As | Andrei Kirilenko |
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1981 |
| Birth Place | Izhevsk, the USSR (now Russia) |
| Nick Name | AK- 47 |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | Russian / American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Age | 41 years old |
| Height | 2.06 m (6 feet 9 inches) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Hair Color | Light brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Build | Athletic |
| Father’s Name | Gennady Kirilenko |
| Mother’s Name | Olga Valentinovna |
| Siblings | Not available |
| Food habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Education | Not available |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Wife | Masha Kirilenko |
| Kid | Three sons and a daughter |
| Kids’ Names | Fyodor, Stepan, Andrey, and Alexandra Kirilenko |
| Profession | Former basketball player |
| NBA Draft | 1999 / Round 1/ 24th pick overall |
| Position | Small forward / Power forward |
| League |
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| Active Years | (1997–2015) |
| Net Worth | $50 million |
| Currently Plays For | None / Retired |
| Jersey Numbers | 47 |
| Career Highlights & Awards |
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| Social Media |
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