Andrei Kirilenko retires from basketball
Andrei Kirilenko told a Russian newspaper that he is retiring.
Andrei Kirilenko is officially retiring. He told Sport Express that it's time to have a different role in basketball, though it's worth noting he gave himself some wiggle room by saying he can't say it's his final decision. He also told Kommersant that he intends to run for president of the Russian basketball federation.
Kirilenko ended his playing career with CSKA Moscow, and made his final NBA appearance with Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 13, 2014. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers last December and waived in February.
In his prime, Kirilenko was captivating and truly unique. He made the All-Star team in 2004 and made all-defensive teams from 2004 to 2006. When he went back to Russia during the lockout in 2011-12, he won the Euroleague MVP award.
Kirilenko never averaged more than the 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game he managed in 2003-04, but he contributed across the board and could completely change games with his defensive versatility and intelligence. Three times, he recorded the ultra-rare 5x5 -- at least five points, five rebounds, five assists, five blocks and five steals in a single game.
You have to wonder how his career would be considered if he played in a slightly different era. Making his NBA debut in 2001, he spent 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz but missed out on the franchise's mid-to-late-90s glory. His game was before his time -- this was a skinny power forward with crazy length, athleticism and the ability to defend guards. Surely his younger self would thrive in today's game, and at 34 years old he'd still be a solid role player if injuries hadn't set him back. He should be remembered as an original.
(HT: Alexander Chernykh)
