A Russian Winter's Tale

Round Five: Mar 28th to Apr 3rd
Answer the questions below and enter for a chance to win an autographed jersey or a trip to one of nine international destinations. Play every week!
Round Six: Apr 4th to Apr 10th

1.  This native of Pittsburgh, Penn. and member of the Russian national team was granted Russian citizenship in 2003 by President Vladimir Putin after starring in the Russian League, where he continues to play.
J.R. Holden
Marcus Brown
Antonio Granger

2.  The Summer Olympics were held in Moscow during which of the following years:
1980
1976
1972

3.  The correct pronunciation of Portland forward Viktor Khryapa's last name is:
Cre-YA_pah
Ha-RAP-ah
Re-YA-pah

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When Andrei Kirilenko first entered the NBA, in 2001, nobody knew what to make of him.

He had been drafted two years earlier by the Utah Jazz in the first round, as the first Russian selected in the first round and the youngest European ever selected. His Russian pro career, which began at the age of 15, kept him away from the media frenzy of the American basketball media.

So here comes this skinny kid, spiky hair and all, with a game that was anything but prototypical. Kirilenko's fondness for the paint in the Russian League didn't seem like it'd sustain itself in the NBA, where 225-pound frames typically get tossed around like rag dolls.

But Kirilenko was tough and relentless. He had to be growing up in Moscow, where the cold winters are the same. Blocking shots, diving for lose balls, picking up steals, "AK-47" was as determined as he was all-over-the-floor. And so Kirilenko wasn't just different – he reflected the place he came from. And that place has never produced anyone as good as he.

In just his third season in the league, Kirilenko became the first Russian ever to appear in the NBA All-Star game. The 22-year-old underscored the difference in his approach to the game compared to the league's other top players by saying before the annual 48-minute highlight reel, "everybody says I don’t need to play defense in the All-Star Game, but that’s my game."

Kirilenko finished that season as the Utah Jazz's leader in scoring (16.2), rebounding (8.1), steals (1.92), blocked shots (2.76) and in minutes played per game (37.1). He earned his first of two NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors, and led the league with 3.32 blocked shots per game in 2004-05.

That year he also registered two 5-by-5’s on the season, recording five in each of the positive statistical categories, and became a fantasy owner's dream. This season Kirilenko is averaging 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.81 blocks and 1.62 steals per game, proving he can truly do it all.

Like break conventions, brave cold winters and be the icon that Russia can be proud of.