Andrei Kirilenko

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kirilenko's time with the Utah Jazz began after he spent two seasons with CSKA Moscow following his 1999 draft selection. He officially joined the Jazz in September 2001 on a rookie-scale contract. His impact was immediate; by March 15, 2002, he recorded a then-career-high 27 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons while starting for injured Karl Malone. As John Stockton retired and Malone left in 2003, Kirilenko stepped up as a leader, playing and starting in 78 of Utah's 82 games that season. He led the team to a 42–40 record and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His defensive prowess was historic; in the 2005–06 season, he recorded a career-high 10 blocks against Indiana on March 26, finishing first in the league with 220 total blocks. He remains one of only two players since 1985–86 to finish a game with at least 6 steals, 6 blocks, 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

In Their Own Story

The 2004–05 season presented a significant challenge when Kirilenko sustained a broken right wrist against the Washington Wizards mid-season. Despite missing time and playing in only 41 of 82 games, he amassed enough blocked shots to lead the NBA in blocks per game for that season. His resilience shone through again in 2007 after a disappointing statistical year where he averaged career lows in points (8.3) due to a shift in offensive emphasis toward Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams. Frustrated by his reduced role, Kirilenko famously had a breakdown during the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. However, he rebounded in the 2007–08 season, improving his field goal percentage from 47% to 51% and his three-point shooting from 21% to a career-high 38%, working personally with Jeff Hornacek on his shot.

Reader's Guide

Kirilenko's NBA journey extended beyond Utah. During the 2011 lockout, he returned to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow, leading them to the 2012 EuroLeague Final and earning EuroLeague MVP honors. He then joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2012–13 season as a starting small forward. In his single season with Minnesota, he played 64 games, averaging 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 51% from the field. His best performance came on November 14, 2012, when he scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in an 89–87 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. After opting out of his final year with Minnesota in June 2013, he signed a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. His NBA career concluded after a brief, controversial stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was waived before playing a game following a dispute over reporting to the team.

Did You Know?

• Kirilenko was the youngest European player ever chosen in the NBA draft when selected by the Jazz in 1999.
• He led the NBA in blocked shots per game during the 2004–05 season despite playing only 41 games due to a broken wrist.
• Along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Kirilenko is one of only two players since 1985–86 to record at least 6 steals, 6 blocks, 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in a single game.
• He won the EuroLeague MVP award in 2012 while leading CSKA Moscow to the Final during the NBA lockout.
• Kirilenko was elected president of the Russian Basketball Federation in 2015.