Minnesota Timberwolves: Andrei Kirilenko Retiring From Basketball
You no longer have to hide your wife and your kids, the greatest weapon to ever step foot on an NBA floor is retiring from the game of basketball. AK-47, you might know him as Andrei Kirilenko, has put his basketball shoes on the top right-hand shelf of his closet for good.
Kirilenko rose to fame in America as a member of the Utah Jazz, bouncing between the three and the four, small forward and power forward, throughout his career. He never put up godly numbers, but amazing solid numbers over a 13-year NBA career.
The 6-9 Russian made one NBA All-Star Game in his career. In Kirilenko’s third NBA season, 2003-04, he made the West team at the tender age of 22.
Kirilenko is known in Minnesota best for his one season with the Timberwolves. It was his first year back in the NBA after playing in Europe for a season during the NBA lockout shortened season. In Europe that season, Kirilenko won the Euroleague MVP. He brought that success to a solid year with the Wolves.
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Kirilenko played in and started 64 games for the Wolves while averaging 12.4 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and an impressive 1.5 steals.
He was named to the All-Defensive teams three times in his NBA career, twice on the second team and once on the first team. Not only was he solid on the court, but he’s held in high regards amongst the fans. Kirilenko currently sits at number 150 on Basketball Reference’s Elo Fan Ratings.
Even though he’s stepping off the court, it looks like Kirilenko still looks to be involved in the game of basketball. Reports state that he wishes to run for president of the Russian basketball federation.
Good luck, Andrei.