Retired Basketball star and Commissioner of the Russian Basketball Federation, Andrei Kirilenko led a hugely successful international career in the sport. After winning the Russian basketball league MVP award in 2000, Kirilenko’s talent was quickly recognised throughout the sporting world and this attention earned him a move to the home of basketball superstars, the NBA. Kirilenko joined the Utah Jazz becoming the first Russian to have ever been chosen in a first round draft and indeed the first European. His success didn’t end there, with his performances in his first season earning him a spot on the All-Star Rookie First Team. Nicknamed the AK-47 due to his initials, number and explosive performances, Andrei Kirilenko’s career at the Utah Jazz went from strength to strength, culminating in a 2004 season when he was named an NBA All Star.
Kirilenko’s incredible career and talent had a huge influence on budding basketball athletes throughout Europe who began to believe that they too could reach the dizzy heights of the NBA. Andrei Kirilenko has worked tirelessly to improve the sport within Europe and his homeland Russia, even returning to compete professionally for CSKA Moscow during the 2011 NBA lockout. Since his retirement, Kirilenko has held an influential role as the Commissioner of the Russian Basketball Federation and remains an extremely important figure within the sport in Russia. His experiences throughout his career make his knowledge of the game exceptionally important for basketball fans throughout the world.