Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is detailed information about Andrei Kirilenko, a versatile forward known for his defensive skills and basketball IQ:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Andrei Gennadyevich Kirilenko
  • Nationality: Russian
  • Date of Birth: February 18, 1981
  • Hometown: Izhevsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
  • Weight: 235 pounds (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: Approximately 7 feet 4 inches (224 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Information not publicly available
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • Jersey Number: Primarily 47 (nicknamed “AK-47” due to his initials and jersey number)
  • High School: Did not attend a traditional U.S. high school; developed through Russian basketball academies.
  • College: Did not attend college; began his professional career in Russia at a young age.
  • NBA Draft:
    • Selected 24th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Utah Jazz (2001–2011):
      • Best years of his career, earning an All-Star selection in 2004.
      • Known for his all-around game, often contributing in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
    2. CSKA Moscow (Lockout Stints and 2011–2012): Played in Russia during NBA lockout and after leaving the Jazz.
    3. Minnesota Timberwolves (2012–2013)
    4. Brooklyn Nets (2013–2014): Brief stint.
    5. Philadelphia 76ers (2014): Did not play a game for the team and subsequently retired.
  • Accolades:
    • NBA All-Star (2004): Represented the Utah Jazz.
    • NBA All-Defensive First Team (2006) and Second Team (2004, 2005).
    • Led the NBA in blocks per game (3.3) in the 2004–2005 season, a rare feat for a small forward.
    • Known as one of the most versatile players in NBA history, capable of filling up the stat sheet in multiple categories.
    • Member of the 50-40-90 club in the EuroLeague during his time with CSKA Moscow.
    • Played for the Russian national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and earning several other international accolades.
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Children: Andrei Kirilenko has four children with his wife, Masha Lopatova, a Russian pop singer.
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Andrei Kirilenko was a rangy, do-everything forward whose archetype blended help defender, secondary playmaker, and versatile two-way connector into one package. Defensively, he operated as a roaming disruptor rather than a one-assignment stopper, using length, timing, and anticipation to block shots from the weak side, jump passing lanes, and cover multiple frontcourt and wing matchups. Offensively, his role was broader than that of a pure finisher but lighter than that of a full-time creator: he moved the ball, cut well, handled enough to keep actions flowing, and chipped in efficient scoring without needing to dominate possessions. At 6-foot-9 and about 220 pounds, Kirilenko had the long frame, mobility, and reach that made his versatility so unusual for his era. Overall, his style was defined by activity and intelligence—an unselfish, high-feel forward who could impact a game with defense, movement, passing, and timely scoring even when he was not the main offensive option. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Andrei Kirilenko Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More — Basketball-Reference
Top 5 all-time Utah Jazz blocks leaders — NBA.com