Wolves' Kirilenko taking time off from Russia team

MOSCOW -- Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrei Kirilenko is taking time off from the Russian national team for family reasons, local media reported.

The 32-year-old Kirilenko told Russian daily Sport-Express that he had informed the Russian basketball federation president, Alexander Krasnenkov, of his decision by phone.

Kirilenko was quoted as saying that "the busy NBA season means I spend too much time away from my family, it takes away a minimum of six-and-a-half months a year."

Kirilenko returned to the NBA last summer after a one-year spell with CSKA Moscow.

Kirilenko said that he will not play for Russia at the European Championship in September but might be back on the team for the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.