[Serious] Did Kirilenko pick his number BECAUSE of the AK47 thing, or was it just a coincidence?

[Ein Sof]

It's been bugging me for a while*. Has there ever been an interview where he's been asked about it or something?

*OK, to be fair, "a while" is really more like "the last 5 minutes". Anyway...

[Dr Positivity]

I’d imagine yes

[Colbinii]

His nickname is because he chose the number 47.

Think about it, his initials are AK and his number was 47.

[eminence]

It's been bugging me for a while*. Has there ever been an interview where he's been asked about it or something?

*OK, to be fair, "a while" is really more like "the last 5 minutes". Anyway...

Almost certainly, his hometown is where it was first produced.

[Sark]

Same with Austin Reaves picking #15.

[SickMother]

Heard he has a 47 centimeter...well...you know....

[HeartBreakKid]

he picked the number because of that. He's from Russia if his name did not give it away.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

of course it was not by chance, it was not his number in Europe

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[Ryoga Hibiki]

he picked the number because of that. He's from Russia if his name did not give it away.

his name sounds more ukranian

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[durantbird]

https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/jazz/ci_8828267#:~:text=After%20speaking%20to%20former%20teammate,%2C%20'That's%20a%20good%20one.

After speaking to former teammate Quincy Lewis about his dilemma, Kirilenko came up with an idea - his now-famous No. 47.

"Quincy told me, 'There's a Russian rifle called AK-47," Kirilenko said. "Because of my initials, I say, 'That's a good one. OK, I will take No. 47.'

[Saints14]

I wish more players picked high numbers. Nickname or not, 47 is a cool jersey number