Andrei Kirilenko has told a Russian Newspaper that he is retiring as a player from basketball, but still wants to be involved with the game.
The man known as AK47 told Sports Express that he wants to run for President of the Russian basketball federation.
Kirilenko played in his last NBA game on November 14th with the Nets before being traded to the Sixers, even though he never reported to Philadelphia. He last played for CSKA Moscow.
Kirilenko was one of those players who played his heart out every night and played with tremendous energy. He was a one time all-star and was named to the NBA’s All Defensive Team three times.
He spent ten seasons with the Jazz, during his prime, one season with the Timberwolves and one and a half with the Nets.
AK47 finishes with career averages of 12 points, 6 rebounds, and just under 3 blocks per game.
Fans tend to forget how good AK47 was back in his prime, a 6″9 slim 235lb power forward who played out of position was a player before his time. A freak athlete, who was very quick and could put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket, back his man down, and even hit the mid range jumper. What also made him valuable was he was a big man who could defend, and stay with smaller players, something that we’re seeing become more of a trend in today’s game.
