Quick Facts

Former Russian-American professional basketball player Andrei Kirilenko currently serves as the Russian Basketball Federation’s commissioner. He was the youngest European player selected by the NBA, going by the nickname “AK-47.”

The first player from Russia to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft is Kirilienko. He participated in teams including the Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Utha Jazz. Basketball was Kirilenko’s favorite sport, and his mentors recognized his talent when they accepted him into a professional team.

How Much is the Net worth of Andrei Kirilenko?

The basketball player’s extravagant net worth, which is estimated to be $50 million, stems from his career earnings, or more specifically, $106,078,477. Andrei Kirilenko continues to make money as the commissioner of the Russian Basketball Federation while living a luxurious retirement.

Gennadyevich obtained U.S. citizenship in January 2011, and his biological heirs are also American citizens. The ability of “Ak-47” to astound the American basketball squad brought him financial success. Kirilenko received a lucrative salary from the NBA, where he played for the Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Utah Jazz. “Ak-47” alternated between playing for the NBA and the PBC CSKA Moscow in his birthplace, giving him numerous income streams from which to build his fortune.

Early Years: Who are the Parents of Andrei Kirilenko?

Andrei Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, Russia, on February 18, 1981. (formerly the Soviet Union). His ancestors hail from Leningrad (present-day St. Petersburg). But when they went to his relative’s home in that city, his mother gave birth to him. In St. Petersburg, his father, Gennady Kirilenko, was a football coach who worked with students. Olga, Andrei’s mother, was a competitive athlete. She was a professional basketball player in her youth, representing numerous illustrious teams like Spartak, Petrel, etc. But four months after his birth, his mother came back, and Andrei grew up in St. Petersburg.

He competed in sports there and went to the local elementary school. Initially, he was more interested in swimming and football. Andrei gradually switched to basketball and became significantly taller than the typical Russian child. At age 10, he had already started taking part in organized basketball events. In the meantime, he joined the basketball team in his hometown and regularly started competing in junior tournaments. He thereby acquired fundamental basketball skills and successfully guided them to numerous triumphs. He then abandoned his academic pursuits and focused only on pursuing a career in basketball.

What is the Professional Career of Andrei Kirilenko?

Initial Career in Russia

Kirilenko, a basketball prodigy from Russia, started competing professionally in 1997. He already had a loyalty to Spartak Saint Petersburg, though. At the time, he was the player with the youngest age in the Russian Super League. Despite his youth, he had had enough experience to compete with the league’s top players. Hence, in 1998, Andrei moved to CSKA Moscow after two years with Petersburg. His performance proved crucial in helping Moscow win the Russian League championship in 1999.

Also, he made his debut in the international scene around that time, which helped him gain fame abroad. The player entered the 1999 NBA draft as a result, and the illustrious NBA team Utah Jazz selected him. He did, however, stay with Moscow until 2001. Also, he continued to play for the Russian club for two more seasons, and in 2000, he once more helped his team to the Russian Super League title. He also won MVP honors for the competition that year.

NBA Career

As the 24th choice in the first round of the 1999 draft, the Utah Jazz selected 18-year-old Andrei. He was the first ever Russian to play in the NBA after being chosen. He joined the Jazz just in 2001 after finishing his tasks with his Moscow club. The talented young Russian was outstanding on both the offensive and defensive sides for his squad during his outstanding debut campaign. As a result, the NBA chose him for the All-Rookie first team, and he enjoyed early success. With an average of 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, he completed his rookie campaign.

Andrei played for the Utah Jazz for nine additional NBA seasons before 2011. Even though he spent the majority of these years having fun while playing for the Jazz, he once considered quitting the NBA. The club only gave him minimal playing time in the 2006–07 season, which had an impact on his stats. He found it frustrating that he could not play well. The club eventually persuaded him, though. He continued to play for the following four seasons until they were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the interim, he traveled back to Russia to play for his old team, CSKA Moscow, in the 2012 EuroLeague.

Kirilenko played three more seasons after his return from Europe with two different teams. After 2011, he had only one noteworthy season, with the Timberwolves. Despite being transferred to the Philadelphia 76ers by the Brooklyn Nets in 2015, he did not show up. As a result, the team suspended him, and he never played again in the NBA. He switched to playing for CSKA Moscow in the VTB League and the EuroLeague. Finally, on June 23, 2015, he made his professional retirement announcement.

National Team

In addition to his club career, he has competed for Russia since he was a teenager in a number of international competitions. At the 1999 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he made his international debut, he was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player. Moreover, he made his senior national team debut at the Summer Olympics in 2000. In the basketball competition, they finished in eighth place.

He has since participated in a number of competitions, including the FIBA World Cup, EuroBasket, and others, while wearing the Russian uniform. His greatest accomplishment while playing for Russia won them the 2007 EuroBasket. In 2013, he made his international career-ending announcement.

Awards and Achievements

Some of his awards:

• 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

Andrei Kirileanko Position: Where Is He Now?

Basketball has been a constant in the 42-year-life, old’s even after retirement. Currently serving as the Russian Basketball Federation’s commissioner is Gennadyevich. Andrei acknowledges that switching from dynamic basketball to static basketball has been difficult for him.

Kirilenko still has the time and will to reinvent Russian Basketball and open up new avenues. With a fortune Gennadyevich accumulated during his peak, the retired footballer may lavishly enjoy his old age. For the NBA and CSKA, Andrei alternated between playing small forward and power forward.

Masha Kirilenko, Allows Him To Cheat Once A Year

The Los Angeles Times reports that Masha met the basketball player through her PR firm when Kirilenko was a rising basketball star at the time. In the year 2001 A.D., the pair exchanged wedding vows.

Masha “Marina” Lopatova, a Russian pop singer, and Andrei Kirilenko have been wed for more than 20 years. She agreed that Gennadyevich’s wife should permit him to have a little fun with other women once a year. Masha doesn’t treat her spouse harshly like other girls do. According to Lopatova, athletes are difficult to govern, so she doesn’t try to subdue them. Fyodor Kirilenko, Stepan Kirilenko, and Andrey Kirilenko, as well as daughter Alexandra Kirilenko, have been a joy to the couple’s happy marriage.

Does he have a Tattoo?

Several NBA basketball players use distinctive tattoos to express their sense of style and flair. Perhaps all World of Warcraft players are aware of the meaning behind his tattoo. Unexpectedly, the basketball player also played World of Warcraft covertly. After the CSKA basketball game, Andrei claimed that Gennadyevich could work on it for 36 hours.

Body Measurement: What is the height and weight of Andrei Kirilenko?

As a growing child, Gennadyevich was active, participating in sports including football, swimming, and handball. The 42-year-old is taller than the typical Russian due to his early involvement in volleyball and swimming. Kirileanko is 6 feet 9 inches tall and 107 kg in weight. Due to his height and strong leaping ability, the former basketball star had a significant edge.

Gennadyevich averaged 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while “Ak-47” amassed 9,431 points, 4,352 rebounds, and 2,169 assists. The 42-year-old is a two-time VTB United League champion (2012, 2015), four-time Russian Player of the Year, NBA All-Star (2004), 2012 Summer Olympics bronze medalist, and winner of gold and bronze in the 2007 FIBA European Championship and Eurobasket 2011.

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