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50. Andrei Kirilenko

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50. Andrei Kirilenko
For years when you thought of Soviet born basketball players they were faceless drones, but that would change with the likable (and Ivan Drago lookalike), Andrei Kirilenko who would become a star with the Utah Jazz.

Advanced stat gurus in Basketball loved Kirilenko whose efficient play and position versatility made him a huge asset as a basketball player and while he was only an All Star once, he put together a career that puts him closer to the discussion than you think, especially when you consider his international play with Russia that saw him win a Bronze at the 2012 Olympics and a Gold in the 2007 Euro Basket Championship.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Ishevsk, Russia
  • Eligible Since: Friday, 01 January 2021
  • Position: Power Forward, Small Forward
  • Played For: Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 15th Overall in 1996
  • Major Accolades and Awards: NBA All-Star (1) (2004)
    NBA All-Defensive First Team (1) (2006)
    NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2) (2004 & 05)
    NBA First Team All-Rookie (2001-02)
    Most Blocks (1) (2005-06)
    Most Blocks per Game (1) (2004-05)
    NBA Championships (None)
    Olympic Bronze Medal (1) (Russia, 2002)
    EuroBasket Gold Medal (1) (Russia, 2007)
    EuroBasket Bronze Medal (1) (Russia, 2011)
    EuroBasket MVP (1) (2007)
    EuroLeague MVP (1) (2012)
    FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year (2) (2007 & 2012)
    Euroscar Player of the Year (1) (2012)
    Russian Player of the Year (4) (2004, 2005, 2007 & 2008)
    Russian League MVP (1) (2000)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Steals (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steals per Game (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Blocks (3) (2002-03, 2003-04 & 2005-06)
    Top Ten Finishes: Blocks per Game (5) (2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 & 2007-08)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goal Percentage (1) (2002-03)
    Top Ten Finishes: True Shooting Percentage (2) (2002-03 & 2004-05)
    Top Ten Finishes: Free Throws (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Free Throw Attempts (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: PER: (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Win Shares (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Win Shares (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Box Plus/Minus (4) (2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06 & 2007-08)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Box Plus/Minus (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Box Plus/Minus (6) (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07 & 2009-10)
    Top Ten Finishes: VORP (1) (2003-04)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steal Percentage (2) (2001-02 & 2009-10)
    Top Ten Finishes: Block Percentage (2) (2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06 & 2006-07)
  • Notable All-time Rankings: 14. Defensive Box Plus/Minus: 2.3
    17. Block Percentage: 5.0
    26. Box Plus/Minus: 5.0
    30. Blocks per Game: 1.8
    42. Blocks: 1,461
    57. VORP: 42.4
    69. Offensive Box Plus/Minus: 2.6
    91. Steal Percentage: 2.4

Should Andrei Kirilenko be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 57.1%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 19%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 11.9%
No opinion. - 2.4%
No way! - 9.5%

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