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Andrei Kirilenko. Photo by Christopher Johnson.

Top 10 Facts about Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Gennadyevich Kirilenko (born February 18, 1981) is a Russian-American basketball executive and former professional basketball player who currently serves as the commissioner of the Russian Basketball Federation.

Kirilenko began playing professional basketball in the Russian Basketball Super League at the age of fifteen. From 1998 to 2001, he was a member of CSKA Moscow.

This is where he won the Russian league MVP award in 2000. Afterwards, Kirilenko joined the Utah Jazz in 2001. He was the first Russian player chosen in the first round of a draft, as well as the youngest European player chosen.

After his rookie season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team three times, and played in the 2004 All-Star Game. During the 2011 NBA lockout, Kirilenko returned to CSKA Moscow and led them to the 2012 Euro League Final.

The following year, he was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player, was named to the All-Euro League first team, and was named the Euro League Best Defender. 

1. Andrei Kirilenko started off by playing for Spartak St. Petersburg

Andrei Batychko and Andrei Kirilenko in the Adidas store at a charity event. Photo by Amigos 11.

Kirilenko was born in the Russian Soviet city of Izhevsk. He began playing organized basketball when he was ten years old. Kirilenko became the Russian Super League’s youngest player ever in 1997.

In 1998, Kirilenko joined CSKA Moscow. He helped his team win the Russian Super League championship in his first season. He was also chosen to play in the Russian All-Star game, where he helped the West defeat the East 138–107 and won the slam dunk contest.

2. Andrei Kirilenko was selected by Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz season‎- Andrei Kirilenko. Photo by Stephanie Young Merzel.

Kirilenko became the NBA’s youngest foreign player at the time when the Utah Jazz selected him with the 24th pick on June 30, 1999. Kirilenko was also the first Russian player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. He did, however, stay with CSKA Moscow for the next two seasons.

During the 1999–2000 season, he helped his team win the North European Basketball League championship and its second Russian Super League title in a row. On April 23, 2000, he played in his second Russian All-Star game, assisting the West to a 122–111 victory over the East. Despite being the overwhelming favorite to win the slam dunk contest, he finished second to Lokomotiv Mineralnye Vody’s Harold Deane.

3. Andrei Kirilenko in the Summer Olympics

Kirilenko was a member of the Russian national basketball team. Kirilenko became the second player in FIBA Supro League history to record a triple-double in points. In the Supro League, he demonstrated his all-around abilities by finishing in the top ten in seven of eight statistical categories.

4. Andrei Kirilenko signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves

Kirilenko signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 27, 2012.  He was the team’s starting small forward during the 2012–13 NBA season, appearing in 64 games. Kirilenko missed 18 games due to back spasms, then a right quadriceps strain, then a calf strain.

He finished the season averaging 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a 51% field goal percentage. On November 14, 2012, he had a career-high 26 points and 12 rebounds in an 89-87 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Kirilenko opted out of the final year of his Timberwolves contract (worth $10 million) on June 29, 2013, to become a free agent. 

5. Andrei Kirilenko’s contract with the Brooklyn Nets 

Kirilenko signed a two-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets on July 12, 2013. This was immediately after playing for Minnesota Timberwolves.

He re-signed with the Nets on June 23, 2014, after exercising his $3.3 million player option. He took a leave of absence from the Nets on November 21, 2014, for personal reasons. 

6. Andrei Kirilenko returned to Russia 

Russia national basketball team at Euro basket 2011. Photo by Christopher Johnson.

Kirilenko returned to Russia to play for his old team CSKA Moscow during the 2011 NBA lockout. Despite the fact that the lockout ended in December, Kirilenko chose to finish the season with CSKA Moscow rather than return to the NBA right away.

He was named the 2011–12 Euro League MVP and was named to the All-Euro League First Team at the end of the season. In 17 Euro League games, he averaged 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game.

7. Andrei Kirilenko, nickname is AK-47

Kirilenko’s nickname comes from his initials, the jersey number he wore, and the AK-47 rifle. Kirilenko was born in the former Soviet Union (now Russia) city of Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. He became a citizen of the United States in January 2011 together with his family.

8. Andrei Kirilenko is married to a Russian pop singer

Kirilenko is married to Masha, a Russian pop singer. Lopatova is the daughter of Andrey Lopatov, a Russian basketball player. Kirilenko first met Lopatova at a youth basketball camp in Moscow, and she later appeared in one of her music videos. 

Kirilenko and his wife were granted American citizenship in January 2011.  Fedor, Stepan, Andrey and Alexandra are their children.  Masha allows Andrei to have sex with other women once a year, according to ESPN The Magazine, which quoted her: “Male athletes in the United States are extremely attractive. They are pursued by women. It’s difficult to resist. It’s just the way men are.” 

9. Andrei Kirilenko, plays World of Warcraft

According to sources, Kirilenko played World of Warcraft (WoW) while in the NBA. Former NBA player Channing Frye told a story about being up at 3 a.m. the night before an NBA game, playing WoW, when he noticed Kirilenko was online. Frye asked Kirilenko if he was ready for the NBA game, to which Kirilenko replied, “Yeah, probably.” 

10. Andrei Kirilenko’s net worth is $50 million

Andrei Kirilenko shoots. Photo by Stephanie Young Merzel.

Andrei Kirilenko is a wealthy basketball player who is also one of the most popular. According to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Andrei Kirilenko’s net worth is around $50 million.

He has acquired this primarily through his years as a professional basketball player in the NBA, CSKA Mosco, and the Russian National Team.