For 90 days get to know more about the international faces of the NBA. Day 49 brings…
Andrei Kirilenko (F, Brooklyn Nets) Russia
Height: 2.06m, 6-foot-9| Weight: 106.6kg, 235 pounds | Born: 18 February, 1981
There is one common goal among all NBA players, one reason why night after night they leave it all out on the floor. The reason - to take home the Larry O'Brien trophy.
When Andrei Kirilenko opted out of his contract with the Timberwolves last year and signed with the Nets for a significant pay cut it was for that reason. As Kirilenko said to USA Today at the time, "I understand the money is not that great…Right now it was certainly best option possible to take the chance and win the trophy."
For Kirilenko, things didn't go quite according to plan. The 12-year veteran was hurt much of the season suffering from back problems and the effects showed. He posted the lowest numbers of his career, appearing in only 45 games and averaging 19.1 minutes.
Another tough hit in Kirilenko's stat sheet this season came in his blocked shots, averaging just 0.4 per game. Kirilenko's career as a dominator in the blocks category is well-known, when he finished in the top 3 in blocks per game for three straight seasons from 2003-2006. But after taking the summer off from basketball he is reported to be completely healthy and ready for next season.
With Kirilenko's health back on track and a new veteran coach, Lionel Hollins, they could prove to be one of the teams to look out for in the East this season. And perhaps take home the trophy that Kirilenko came to Brooklyn to win.
Key Stats:
2013-14 Season- GP: 45 | MPG: 19.1 | PTS: 5.0 | REB: 3.2 | FG%: 51.3%
Season Highlight: Recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds versus the Los Angeles Lakers on 23 February.
Awards:
*NBA Blocks Per Game Leader (2004-05)
*All-Defensive First Team (2005-06)
*All-Defensive Second Team (2003-04, 2004-05)
*NBA All-Star (2004)
Five Things to Know:
1. He is married to Masha Lopatova, who is a Russian pop singer. He appears in one of her music videos.
2. He started playing basketball professionally in Russia at age 15.
3. According to Rotoworld and Netsdaily.com, Kirilenko donated most of his 2011-12 salary while playing for CSKA Moscow, to a Moscow orphanage.
4. He recently took a trip to South Africa with his new coach Lionel Hollins to work with the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program.
5. Kirilenko ranks second all time for the Jazz in total blocks and blocks per game.
Check out Kirilenko's photos and video in the LEAGUE section of NBA Game Time.
Previous: Sergey Karasev (Brooklyn Nets, Russia) | Next Up: Ognjen Kuzmic (Golden State Warriors, Bosnia and Herzegovina)