Kirilenko honored by FIBA

Feb 9, 2008 - 12:18 AM MUNICH, Germany (Ticker) -- Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko was named the FIBA Player of the Year on Friday.

The 6-9 Kirilenko was honored after leading Russia to a gold medal and being named MVP of the EuroBasket in September.

Last year's winner, German star Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, finished second, while Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon of Spain was third.

It was a surprising run for the Russians, led by the 26-year-old Kirilenko, who averaged 18.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals and nearly 2.0 blocks. He had 29 points and eight rebounds in a semifinal win over Lithuania and 17 points in a 60-59 win over Spain in the final.

"Andrei Kirilenko is a deserving winner of this award," FIBA Europe president George Vassilakopoulos said. "Very few people expected Russia to win the gold medal this summer and their eventual victory was due in large part to his stellar play."

"Andrei is one of the best players in the world and he proved that this summer in Spain," FIBA Europe secretary general Nar Zanolin said. "Russia has always been a force in European basketball but, in a competition like EuroBasket, you need more than just talent, and he proved his abilities extend beyond his impressive statistics."

In his seventh season with the Jazz, Kirilenko is averaging 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 45 games. He has stepped up his play after a reported rift with coach Jerry Sloan last season.

Frenchman Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and Ramunas Siskauskas of Lithuania rounded out the top five.