Andrei Kirilenko, a former NBA star known for his time with the Utah Jazz, recently talked about how he got his famous nickname, AK-47. This nickname comes from his initials and jersey number, but it also has a special meaning related to his background and playing style. Kirilenko stood out as a versatile player because of his strong defense.
During an interview on the ‘Knuckleheads’ podcast, Kirilenko explained that when he first joined the Jazz, he wore number 13, which was special to him because his mother had worn it. However, when veteran player John Amaechi joined the team and took number 13, Kirilenko had to choose a new number. His teammate Quincy Lewis suggested he take number 47.
“At that time, we had Quincy Lewis. He’s the head of the alumni program in Utah right now. Because he was young and I was young, we were hanging out. He said, ‘Andrei Kirilenko, AK that’s your initials. AK-47 is the most famous machine gun. You have to pick 47.’ I was like ‘Yeah, sure, what else am I supposed to pick?’ So I picked 47, and since then it’s become like a brand…”, Kirilenko said.
Andrei Kirilenko’s Journey From NBA Star To Basketball Leader
The nickname’s link to the AK-47 rifle is especially meaningful because of Andrei Kirilenko’s Russian background. The rifle was designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, who is from Kirilenko’s hometown of Izhevsk. This connection adds more significance to the nickname, representing Kirilenko’s identity as a Russian player.
Kirilenko had a successful NBA career, mainly with the Utah Jazz, from 2001 to 2010. People knew him for his versatility on the court and his strong performance in both offense and defense. He was an NBA All-Star in 2004 and led the league in blocked shots during the 2004-2005 season.
After his NBA career, he returned to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow and later became president of the Russian Basketball Federation. Andrei Kirilenko’s journey from a young player in Russia to an NBA star is full of achievements and memorable moments, with AK-47 being one of the most famous nicknames in sports history.
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