SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz, as part of the team’s alumni program, will recognize former player Andrei Kirilenko for his achievements during his Jazz career that spanned a decade (2001-2011) when the team faces the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, March 28.
During his visit, Kirilenko will sign autographs pregame outside of the main Fanzz store on the concourse of Vivint Smart Home Arena, participate in a live social media Q&A with UtahJazz.com where he will answer fan-submitted questions, appear on the Jazz Game Night Pregame Show and in-game broadcast on ROOT SPORTS as well as the in-game radio broadcast on The Zone Sports Network. There will also be an on-court presentation to Kirilenko in the second quarter of Monday’s game.
Drafted by Utah with the 24th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Kirilenko is among all-time franchise leaders in a variety of categories, ranking: second in blocks (1,380), tied for fourth in seasons played (10), fourth in steals (960), fifth in assists (1,919), fifth in minutes (20,989), sixth in points (8,411), seventh in rebounds (3,836) and seventh in games played (681).
A 2004 NBA All-Star, Kirilenko remains one of only 12 players in league history to register a “5X5” game, a feat he reached three times with the Jazz, producing at least five points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in a single game. Kirilenko and Hakeem Olajuwon remain the only players to register multiple 5X5 games.
Kirilenko, who announced his retirement from professional basketball this past summer, was named president of the Russian Basketball Federation in August. An active member in the community both in Utah and his native Russia, Kirilenko established, “Kirilenko’s Kids,” which benefits a variety of causes, focusing on orphanages and children’s hospitals. Locally he worked with many organizations including Huntsman Cancer Institute and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Former Jazzmen who have returned recently as part of the team’s alumni program for visits and to assist the Jazz “Doing Good” community initiatives include: Thurl Bailey, Antoine Carr, Darrell Griffith, Frank Layden, Mehmet Okur, Jerry Sloan and the 1984 “Team With Heart” playoff squad.
WHO: Former Jazz Forward Andrei Kirilenko
WHAT: Andrei Kirilenko will be recognized as he returns to Vivint Smart Home Arena for the first time since retiring from professional basketball.
WHEN: Monday, March 28 (Jazz vs. Lakers)
WHERE: Vivint Smart Home Arena
MEDIA AVAILABILTY: Andrei Kirilenko will be available to the media in the Jazz interview room (145) at 4:45 p.m. For any special requests, please contact Derek Garduño in the Jazz Communications Department in advance.
