Russian Andrei Kirilenko is a 6-9 small forward playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. He was the Jazz 24th pick in 1999 but didn’t play immediately for the team that drafted him. The Jazz acquisition of Andrei Kirilenko was made possible after they traded their center Felton Spencer to the Orlando Magic for Kenny Gattison, Brooks Thompson and the Magic’s 1999 first round draft pick. Born in Izhevik City, Russia, Kirilenko never attended college as he went straight from high school to play for Spartak St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1996-98. His career as a junior basketball was indeed impressive and productive as he was named the MVP in the 1997 European Junior Championships. Kirilenko’s career continues to flourish as he played for CSKA Moscow from 1998 to 2001 and gained further experience playing in international competitions. He is the regular mainstay of the powerhouse Russian National Team in the Olympics (2000), World Championships (2002), and the European Championships (2001, and 2005).

Finally Kirilenko brought his wares to NBA and plays for the first time for a team that drafted him in 1999, which is the Utah Jazz. Living up to his expectation, this lanky shot block specialist and a good scorer made immediate impact in the league. He posted impressive numbers on his first year as a Jazz player in 2001-2002 season as he made it to the 2002 NBA’s All-Rookie First Team and was tied third in the Rookie of the Year balloting. He made it to the NBA All-Defensive First Team during the 2005 to 2006 season and Second Team twice from 2003 to 2005.

With his noteworthy achievements Kirilenko truly deserved the alias given to him, that is, AK-47, that bears his initials, the type of a rifle that originated from his homeland Russia and his number 47 jersey.

In the 2009-2010 regular season Andrei Kirilenko posted impressive numbers as he average 11.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steal, and 1.2 block per game. This season could’ve been good for him sans his injuries. Although he is a complete and a consummate role player, the chink on his armor is his being prone to injuries. This season alone, he missed 24 games in the regular season, and so far, 7 games in the post season (6 games against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2010 Playoffs and a single game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinal Round). He missed 111 regular season games including the 41 games he did not suit up for the Jazz in the 2004 to 2005 season.

While he is really good at basketball he is also a happily married man. Andrei is married to a stunning and very talented woman in Latvian born Russian pop star singer Masha Kirilenko. Masha who returned to her motherland Russia after taking her studies in London and learning about creating and producing television, film and radio shows. She stumbled upon his future hubby, that is, Andrei whilst working for a sports marketing firm. Andrei was signing up contract as the first Russian Nike endorserhttp://www.hoopsvibe.com/gossip/articles/82724-the-nbas-25-hottest-wives-and-girlfriends. Andrei’s heart was enamored with the charm and wit of Masha. Soon enough the two married in 2001 the same year where Masha’s recorded album reigned as Russia’s number 1 hit. The couple now has two children and in 2009 adopted a baby girl which Masha named Alexandra http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13587451?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com. Masha was one of the toasts among NBA housewives and girlfriends as she was named as one of the 25 NBA’s Hottest Wives and Girlfriends http://www.hoopsvibe.com/gossip/articles/82724-the-nbas-25-hottest-wives-and-girlfriends by the hoopsvibe.com.

Masha quoted in an interview by a popular sports network in 2009, that she is willing to give Andrei an allowance to sleep with another woman once a year, but the 2007 EuroBasket MVP, Best Russian Player 2004 and Best European Player 2001 awardee decline the offer.

And last but definitely not the least the Kirilenkos runs a foundation which is the kirilenko’skids.com whose objective is to help young children in Utah and Russia by helping children’s hospital and orphanages with supplies, services and assistance. The foundation also makes an effort to improve the basketball skills and develops the personality of children through Basketball Schools and other related activities that fosters holistic lifestyle among the youths lifestylehttp://www.kirilenkoskids.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=4&Itemid=45.