Andrei Kirilenko officially retires from NBA

 

Brooklyn Nets small forward Andrei Kirilenko has announced his retirement from the NBA. 

Nicknamed, “AK-47″, Kirilenko was a 13-year veteran, who spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz. The forward was a member of CSKA Moscow, where he won numerous awards.

Kirilenko began his career with the Jazz, when they selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. However, he was also drafted in the first round of the European draft as well. He played in Europe for two years, before returning to the Jazz in 2001. 

Kirilenko went on to be named to the All-Rookie 1st team, and was on the All-Defensive team three times, once on the first team, and twice with the second team. He was named to the All-Star team in 2004 as well. 

After a succesful career in Utah for ten years, he returned to CSKA Moscow in 2012. This was during the NBA lockout. He played there for one year, winning the MVP award, Defensive Player of the Year award, and the Euroscar player of the year award. He then returned to the NBA, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the following year, the Nets.

There has been rumors about retirement for a couple of weeks, but it was not until today where he officially announced his retirement.

Kirilenko is considered one of the best European players to cross from Europe to the NBA. His dominant play was always evident, and his hustle was always noted.