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NBA Rumors: Andrei Kirilenko is not retiring, yet

By FanSided Staff

Apr 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) during the second quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) during the second quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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After reports surfaced of Andrei Kirilenko retirement, he might not be hanging up the sneakers just yet.

Andrei Kirilenko was thought to have been retiring after this season, but that might not be 100% true. The Russian basketball stud came to the States to play 13 NBA seasons, 10 of which were with the Utah Jazz. He was by no means a super star, but he did have a phenomenal career. But after only playing 7 games with the Brooklyn Nets this year, and playing the remainder of the 2015 season overseas with CSKA he was thought of to be officially retired from the game of basketball. But different rumors say that he isn’t quite done just yet.

Kirilenko is known for a couple things during his time in the NBA. His role on the Utah Jazz team where they made it to one conference finals in 2007 and his nickname, AK-47. He was loved by fans everywhere he went, whether it was Utah, Minnesota, or Brooklyn. He averaged 11.8 points per game over his long career, but as time went on his production started to diminish.

This past year was the most frustrating for Kirilenko, who after playing seven games, went overseas to a team where he would actually get playing time. I think it’s safe to say we probably won’t see Kirlenko in the NBA anymore. If he does make a return it will be with a team overseas. Unless a title contending team is stricken with injuries and they get desperate of course.

If he does come back I can’t imagine how successful he will be. Two years ago he averaged just 5.0 points per game with Brooklyn, and this past year he barely played. It would be shocking if he did end up coming back. But there is no reason why we can’t celebrate his career in the meantime.

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