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Utah Jazz: 25 Best Players To Play For The Jazz

By Phil Watson

Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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SALT LAKE CITY – MAY 11: Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz puts up a shot against Pau Gasol #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2008 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – MAY 11: Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz puts up a shot against Pau Gasol #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2008 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

<strong>How acquired:</strong> 24th overall pick from CSKA Moscow, 1999 NBA Draft.. SF-PF. 2001-11. Andrei Kirilenko. 7. player. 118

The Utah Jazz selected Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko of CSKA Moscow with the 24th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft and then played the waiting game.

At the time, he was the youngest European ever to be drafted and he eventually signed with the Jazz in August 2001. Kirilenko was an All-Rookie selection in 2001-02 and was named an All-Star in 2004, as well as being picked All-Defensive three times.

UTA_07_KIRILENKO
UTA_07_KIRILENKO /

He led the NBA in blocks—as a 6-foot-9 forward—in 2004-05, finishing second in 2005-06 and third in 2003-04 and also finished fourth in steals in 2003-04 before playing out his contract and returning to Russia in 2011.

In 10 seasons in Utah, Kirilenko averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, two blocks and 1.4 steals in 30.8 minutes per game, shooting .470/.312/.763.

Kirilenko returned to the NBA in July 2012 with the Minnesota Timberwolves and signed with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2013.

In December 2014, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, but refused to report and was waived in February 2015. In June 2015, he announced his retirement and was elected president of the Russian Basketball Federation in August 2015.

Kirilenko is 37th in NBA history with 1,461 blocked shots and 27th with an average of 1.8 blocks per game.

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