He is the youngest foreign player selected in the NBA draft and looks back on his career.

In the 1999 NBA Draft, Andrei Kirirenko, a forward from the CSKA team in Moscow, Russia, was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 24th pick in the first round. At that time, Andrei Kirirenko became the youngest foreign player ever selected in the NBA Draft at the age of 18 years and 4 months. Since Andrei Kirilenko's contract with the team has not expired, he can only continue to play for the Moscow CSKA team and represent the team in the European League.

Andrei Kirirenko

In September 2000, Andrei Kirirenko represented the Russian men's basketball team and competed with the team in the Summer Olympics held in Sydney. Russia ranked third in the group stage with 3 wins and 2 losses. Russia lost to the United States 70-85 in the quarter-finals, and Russia lost to Canada 83-86 in the 5-8 rankings, and finally won the 8th place in the Olympics.

In 2001, the Utah Jazz announced that they had officially signed Andrei Kirirenko with a 4-year, $10.46 million rookie contract, with the last year of the contract being the team option. Since then, Andrei Kirirenko has started his NBA career.

In the 2001-2002 season, Andrei Kirirenko, who had just entered the league, was not valued by the Jazz coaching staff, and could only play as a substitute for Don Yer Marshall. In the middle of the season, due to Don Yer Marshall's injury, Andrei Kirirenko became the team's starting small forward. In that season, Andrei Kirirenko played 82 regular season games for the Jazz, including 40 starts, and averaged 26.2 minutes per game to contribute 10.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks. After the regular season, Andrei Kirirenko was selected for the NBA's All-Rookie Team for the first team. The Jazz ranked eighth in the Western Conference with 44 wins and 38 losses, and lost 1-3 to the Sacramento Kings in the first round. In the 2002-2003 season, Andrei Kirirenko was on the bench for Matt Hapson, but he ranked third in the team in his average score, becoming the team's most important substitute. In that season, Andrei Kirirenko played 80 regular season games for the Jazz, including 11 starts, and averaged 27.7 minutes per game to contribute 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.45 steals and 2.2 blocks. The Jazz ranked seventh in the Western Conference with 44 wins and 35 losses, and lost 1-4 to the Sacramento Kings in the first round.

2003-2004 season, with Karl Malone leaving the team and John Stockton's retirement, the Jazz officially entered the reconstruction period. Andrei Kirirenko played as the team's starting small forward and became the most important core player in the team's reconstruction period. His average playing time and data ranked first in the team, and his average score and rebounds averaged to the highest level in his personal career. This season, Andrei Kirirenko played 78 regular season games for the Jazz, all starting and averaging 37.1 points per game. Zhong contributed 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.8 blocks. During the regular season, Andrei Kirilianko was selected as the All-Star for the first time in his career. After the regular season, Andrei Kirilianko ranked fourth in the league in steals and fifth in the league in blocks, becoming the first player in the NBA to enter the top five in both technical statistics. At the same time, he was selected as the second team of the NBA's best defensive team for the first time in his career. The Jazz ranked ninth in the Western Conference with 42 wins and 48 losses and missed the playoffs. In the 2004-2005 season, Andrei Kirilianko still played as the team's starting small forward. His average playing time and average score per game was second only to Carlos Boozer, ranking second in the team. His average block sweep average reached a career-highest. Andrei Kirilianko played 41 regular season games for the Jazz, including 37 starts, and averaged 15.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.3 blocks per game. After the regular season, Andrei Kirilianko was selected for the second team of the NBA's best defensive team for the second time in his career, and won the blocking king. The Jazz ranked second last in the West with 26 wins and 56 losses.

In July 2005, the Utah Jazz announced that they would officially renew Andrei Kirirenko with a six-year, $86 million contract. In the 2005-2006 season, Andrei Kirirenko played as the team's starting small forward. His average playing time reached a career-highest career. In this season, Andrei Kirirenko played for the Jazz, 69 regular season games, including 63 starts, and averaged 37.7 minutes per game, contributing 15.3 points, 8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.2 blocks. The Jazz ranked ninth in the Western Conference with 41 wins and 41 losses and missed the playoffs.

On January 9, 2006, the Jazz played against the Lakers at home. Andrei Kirirenko started in 35 minutes and contributed 14 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 7 blocks and 6 steals in 35 minutes, becoming the third player in NBA history to contribute "5×5" data in a single game after "Big Dream" Hakeem Olajuwon and "Admiral" David Robinson.

Andrei Kirilianko

2006-2007 season, Andrei Kirilianko still played as the team's starting small forward. However, due to Deron Williams' rapid growth, Andrei Kirilianko's average score per game declined significantly compared to last season. In that season, Andrei Kirilianko played 70 regular season games for the Jazz, all starting games, averaging 29.3 minutes per game, contributing 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 blocks. The Jazz ranked fourth in the Western Conference with 51 wins and 31 losses. They defeated the Houston Rockets 4-3 in the first round, defeated the Golden State Warriors 4-1 in the Western Conference semi-finals, and lost to the San Antonio Spurs 1-4 in the Western Conference Finals, missed the Finals..

In September 2007, Andrei Kirirenko represented the Russian men's basketball team and competed with the team in the European Championship. Russia won all three games in the group stage and qualified as the top spot in the group. Russia defeated Lithuania 86-74 in the quarter-finals, Russia defeated Greece 82-77 in the semi-finals, and Russia defeated Spain 60-59 in the finals, winning the European Championship for the first time. In the 2007-2008 season, Andrei Kirilianko was still the team's starting small forward, and his three-point shooting percentage reached the highest career career. In that season, Andrei Kirilianko played 72 regular season games for the Jazz, all starting, averaging 30.8 minutes per game and contributed 11 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks. The Jazz ranked fourth in the Western Conference with 54 wins and 28 losses. They defeated the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round, and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-4 in the Western Conference semi-finals and missed the Western Conference Finals.

In August 2008, Andrei Kirirenko represented the Russian men's basketball team and competed with the team in the Summer Olympics held in Beijing, and served as the flag bearer of the Russian delegation's Olympic Games. Russia failed to qualify for 1 win and 4 losses in the group stage.

Although Andrei Kirirenko played as a substitute for CJ Myers, his average per game did not decline significantly and became the team's most important substitute player. In this season, Andrei Kirirenko played 67 regular season games for the Jazz, including 10 starts, and averaged 27.3 minutes per game, contributing 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. The Jazz ranked eighth in the Western Conference with 48 wins and 34 losses, and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-4 in the first round.

Andrei Kirirenko defended McGrady

2009-2010 season, Andrei Kirirenko still played as a substitute for CJ Myers. In the middle of the season, he gradually became the team's starting small forward with his great contribution to his defensive end. In that season, Andrei Kirirenko played 58 regular season games for the Jazz, including 35 starts, and averaged 29 minutes per game to contribute 11.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. The Jazz ranked fifth in the Western Conference with 53 wins and 29 losses. He defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-2 in the first round, and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 0-4 in the Western Conference semi-finals and missed the Western Conference Finals.

In the 2010-2011 season, Andrei Kirilianko still played as the team's starting small forward. The defensive line composed of him and Lagabele became the strongest defensive defense line in the league. In this season, Andrei Kirilianko played 64 regular season games for the Jazz, including 62 starts, averaging 31.2 minutes per game, contributing 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks. The Jazz ranked 11th in the Western Conference with 39 wins and 43 losses and missed the playoffs.

In the summer of 2011, the NBA was suspended due to labor-management agreement issues. Andrei Kirilenko, whose contract expired, chose to return to the Russian League and sign with the CSKA Moscow to continue his career.

Andrei Kirirenko joined the Timberwolves

On July 26, 2012, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced the signing of Andrei Kirirenko on a two-year, $20 million contract, of which the second year of the contract is the player option.

In July 2012, Andrei Kirirenko represented the Russian men's basketball team and competed with the team in the Summer Olympics held in London. Russia successfully qualified for 4 wins and 1 loss in the group stage. Russia defeated Lithuania 83-74 in the quarter-finals, Russia lost to Spain 59-67 in the semi-finals, and Russia defeated Argentina 81-77 in the 3-4th place, and won the bronze medal of the men's basketball team at the London Olympics. In the 2012-2013 season, Andrei Kirilianko played as the team's starting small forward. He ranked second in the team's average appearance and third in the team's average score. In that season, Andrei Kirilianko played 64 regular season games for the Timberwolves, all starting games, and averaged 31.8 minutes per game to contribute 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block. The Timberwolves ranked fourth from the bottom in the West with 31 wins and 51 losses.

In July 2013, the Brooklyn Nets announced that they would sign Andrei Kirirenko on a two-year middle-class contract, of which the contract was $3.18 million in the first year and $3.32 million in the second year as the player option. In the 2013-2014 season, Andrei Kirirenko played as Paul Pierce's substitute. His shooting percentage reached the highest career. In the middle of the season, Andrei Kirirenko's condition declined sharply. In that season, Andrei Kirirenko's performance in 45 regular season games for the Nets, including 4 starts, and averaged 5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per 19 minutes. The Nets ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with 44 wins and 38 losses. They defeated the Toronto Raptors 4-3 in the first round, and lost 1-4 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semi-finals and missed the Eastern Conference finals.

Andrei Kirirenko played against LeBron James

In the 2014-2015 season, Andrei Kirirenko played as the team's second substitute. His average playing time and data averaged to the lowest level in his career. In that season, Andrei Kirirenko Andrei Kirirenko played for the Nets in seven regular season games, all of which played as a substitute, averaging 0.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. At the beginning of the season, the Nets chose to trade Andrei Kirirenko.

On December 11, 2014, the Brooklyn Nets transferred Andre Kirilenko, Yoggutierrez, the 2018 second round pick swap rights, the 2020 second round pick, and part of the cash transaction to the Philadelphia 76ers, and received a special case of Brandon Davis and $3.4 million in trading. After being traded, Andrei Kirilianko refused to report to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Philadelphia 76ers later announced a ban on Andrei Kirilianko. On February 22, 2015, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that the team officially waived Andrei Kirirenko. Andrei Kirilenko then chose to return to his hometown of Russia and join the CSKA Moscow to continue his career.

On June 2, 2015, "AK47" Andrei Kirirenko announced his official retirement. Since then, this defensive forward with outstanding blocking awareness has completely left the NBA arena.