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One-On-One With Andrei Kirilenko
Fields Moseley
Reporting
May 22, 2007 7:58 pm US/Mountain
(KUTV) AK-47: it's one of the many nick-names Andre Kirilenko has. Andrei
was a force to be reckoned with during the 2nd round of the NBA play-offs
scoring in the double digits every game against the warriors and blocking
18 shots.
So it may not be surprising to find out this 26-year-old man was identified
as a potential star athlete in the former Soviet Union when he was only 6.
"I was in regular elementary school in 1st grade," says Andrei, "Coach came
looking for tall guys, picked 3 tallest guys and asked if they want to come
to the basketball section."
Kirilenko had options, but chose basketball because his mother played.
And by third grade he was playing competitively in St. Petersburg.
"I'm sure if not basketball, I would be in a sport," Andrei said.
"Probably football. Not American football, real football!
Let's be honest. It's football. In American football, where is the foot?"
So is he a pretty good soccer player too then?
"Six years here, I haven't even seen the ball," Andrei said.
Kirilenko has been busy. In 1999, he entered the NBA draft and became the
youngest European ever drafted. Even speaking no English it was an easy
career decision.
But by the time he was flying to Utah it was a family decision too.
He was married to his wife Masha and they were expecting their first son.
"My first year, I hated it," Andrei says. "First ten days in summer league
- I hated it. I didn't know where to go. My hotel room ceiling right here.
Hate the food. Used to Russian food."
Food is still an issue for Kirilenko, but he has found places locally that
appeal to him. Like Cucina Toscana where Valter Nassi is proud to show off
pictures of his Jazz customers.
"I call them my nephews," says Valter, "Yes... They are wonderful!"
For a man who towers over most at 6'9" Kirilenko seems to be unusually
well-grounded, and clearly a family man.
So you enjoy being a father?
"Very much, everyday something new," Andrei said, "I have second one right
now, 2 months. I'm still waiting for him to start doing the crazy stuff."
As difficult as his first year in Utah was, it is now his home.
His wife, Masha juggles the kids, but also opened a clothing store this year
at Gateway deepening their roots in the community.
Andrei Kirilenko is playing on an up-and-coming team. And happy with his
life, and he doesn't mind giving you the straight story.
Andrei says, "You don't need to pretend if you are good or bad. If you are
bad, stay bad. You don't have to do something. You should be yourself."
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_142220138.html
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