Rumors

As the Nets welcome a young Russian guard with the potential to help spearhead the team's rebuild, he already has a fellow Russian, and former Net, in his corner for guidance. During the team’s introductory press conference for its newest draft picks, incoming rookie Egor Demin told Nets Wire's Sharif Phillips-Keaton that Andrei Kirilenko has been a steady presence throughout his journey to becoming a professional basketball player in the United States. "Yes, I've talked to him throughout all of my career. Moving to Spain, he was a part of that decision at some point," said Demin. "Moving to BYU, especially, obviously, because he lived in Utah."

Sports Illustrated

Besides his NBA résumé, Kirilenko’s role as president of the Russian Basketball Federation has made him someone Demin deeply respects. “He’s a big figure for Russian basketball,” Demin told the Salt Lake Tribune. “Obviously, for me, it’s an honor to be able to have a chance to talk to him and ask him for advice. For me, it’s an honor to be representing my country, bringing the pride of my country to the NBA.”

Sports Illustrated

Shortly after Demin was drafted, AllBasketball.org reported that Kirilenko had nothing but praise for the fellow Russian. "It's very cool. Historic moment, highest draft pick. Potentially, he is one of the strongest players we have ever had. Naturally, there are all the plans for him to succeed," Kirilenko said. "Brooklyn is the best option, because the team is young. There is a certain deficit in Demin's position. Most likely, he will have a chance to start first."

Sports Illustrated

Carlos Boozer strode confidently through Zions Bank Basketball Center, the Utah Jazz training facility. Once upon a time, he walked this space as a player. Those were his All-Star days. His Olympian days. The days of Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko and the late, great Jerry Sloan. The days of Utah’s powder blue uniform. Today, Boozer is back with the organization, and, along with Avery Bradley, is a key cog in a front office tasked with selecting the fifth pick in Wednesday night’s NBA Draft. Utah’s war room will be different for Boozer, not only because he’s no longer a player, but also because the building has undergone renovations since his playing days. And we’re talking about a front office that has transitioned in general managers from Kevin O’Connor to Dennis Lindsey, to Justin Zanik, to Danny Ainge, and now to Austin Ainge.

New York Times

Egor Demin is on the verge of becoming the first Russian-born player drafted by an NBA team since … Sergey Karasev in 2013. “Well, that means a lot,” Demin told The Athletic. “Obviously, everybody knows about Andrei Kirilenko, the legend of Russian basketball. A lot more Russian legends that got to the NBA, and even though maybe they didn’t spend as much time in the NBA as they wanted to, they had great careers back in Russia in EuroLeague and became legends. And I was growing up looking up to Alexey Shved, playing in Khimki, and he was in the NBA, too. “So for me, all these players are a huge example and learning resource.”

New York Times

Former Boston Celtics wing Tony Allen, regarded as one of the top defenders of his era, has major doubts about Flagg at the next level. In an appearance on GrindCityMedia’s YouTube channel, Allen said he does not view Flagg as a franchise-changing player, and predicted the Duke star would not win Rookie of the Year in 2026. “I don’t think Cooper Flagg’s going to turn a franchise around like that,” Allen said. “I ain’t seeing KD. I’m just not seeing all that. I’m seeing Andrei Kirilenko. “He’s going to be a one-time All-Star. I don’t see it, bro. I’m just not hyped on these Duke kids. He is nice, but his max-out potential is Andrei Kirilenko.”

Larry Brown Sports

Andrei Kirilenko, now ten years into his presidency, said Russia has not played top-level basketball in five years due to Covid and sanctions. “We want to come back. It’s unfair that Russian basketball is absent,” he stated, thanking FIBA for ongoing updates. A key point was the role of CSKA Moscow in EuroLeague politics. “The club votes but cannot play – it’s absurd,” said Kirilenko. He argued that CSKA’s return would facilitate the Federation’s reinstatement by the IOC, which acts more easily when clear cases are presented.

Sportando

Flagg's first-team All-American season makes him a challenging case study because elite prospects have special qualities that set them apart. The diversity of their skill sets often call to mind several different players at once. Here are five players whom NBA scouts tell us they're leaning into as they go through their own evaluations for Flagg. These comps are designed to illustrate his range of outcomes and highlight his strengths on both sides of the ball. Jump to a Flagg comp: Jayson Tatum | Kawhi Leonard | Lamar Odom | Scottie Pippen | Andrei Kirilenko

ESPN

Artem Komarov: Andrey Kirilenko was re-elected as the Russian Basketball Federation president for the next 4 years.

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Andrei Kirilenko on Playing for the Brooklyn Nets: "Going to Brooklyn was a very easy decision and a tough one at the same time. I felt like my NBA career was winding down. I was starting to feel the toll of injuries, and my body wasn’t the same as it used to be. I knew I had to make a move to a team where I could have a shot at winning a championship, and Brooklyn, with KG, Paul Pierce, and Joe Johnson, was a great option. It was like a ‘Last Crusade’ for all of us. I had always heard about how incredible New York was, and I wanted to experience playing there. We didn’t win the championship, but it was a good experience being part of that group. I got to learn from some of the best veterans in the league, and even though we didn’t get as far as we wanted, we gave it our all."

YouTube

After playing for Team USA’s Select Team in Las Vegas, Flagg was compared to former All-Star Andrei Kirilenko by an NBA executive and two NBA scouts who spoke with HoopsHype. “Flagg is like Kirilenko,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He’s very impactful defensively, can guard multiple positions, and is a great weak-side shot blocker. He makes plays for others in the halfcourt and transition. He’s a good transition finisher who’s an athletic wing player. His halfcourt offense is a concern. He needs to shoot it better. Creating his offense in the half court will be a question.” “Flagg reminds me of Kirilenko,” another NBA scout told HoopsHype. “Flagg has a quick first step and is an aggressive finisher around the basket. He doesn’t create much off the dribble offensively but creates more offense with his defense than anyone in the country. His defense is way ahead of his offense. He’s more of a four than a three due to his supreme athletic nature. The consistency of his outside shot improving will depend on how much emphasis is put in allowing him to shoot it in real games and not just practice.”

HoopsHype

But Buzelis, who, at just 19, flashes an awareness beyond his years, doesn't limit himself to the offensive end. He cited former Utah Jazz Andrei Kirilenko for his shotblocking ability and defensive prowess. It's clear that becoming a two-way player is important for Buzelis. "My rookie year, I’m not going to have any plays ran for me," he said on the podcast. "So I have to go play defense and be an energy guy and make open shots."

nbcsportschicago.com

In 26 games for the G League Ignite, Buzelis averaged an impressive 2.1 blocks in 32 minutes. "I already had instincts on defense. It was mainly watching film for me and seeing what position I have to be in and how far I have to be from the paint to go block a shot and how different guys finish in the paint," he said. "I already had the instincts, length and athleticism."

nbcsportschicago.com

Shams Charania: Potential top-5 NBA pick Matas Buzelis sits down with @Stadium: “I respect Zach (Risacher) as a player…He just doesn’t want to see me. I’m just going to keep it real with everybody.” On “disrespect” of Ignite shutdown; Franz Wagner, PG, Andrei Kirilenko, Jaden McDaniels; more: pic.twitter.com/nZpLsoCkVp

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