Timberwolves forward Andrei Kirilenko turned 32 last week, an occasion he celebrated with a trip to Las Vegas over All-Star Weekend before he finalized a decision that confirmed time indeed is moving on.
Kirilenko told the Russian basketball federation that, barring a change of heart, his international playing days are done.
"It is time," he said.
It's time for him to devote his summers to watching his three children grow up.
It's time for what he calls the "next generation" of Russian basketball to take over, one that could be led by Wolves teammate Alexey Shved.
"It's not connected to playing time, I'm not tired, I'm not tired of playing for the national team," he said. "I want to be a better dad."
He played in his first Olympics in Sydney in 2000 and has been the face of Russian basketball ever since then, representing it in European, World and Olympic championships -- and accompanying qualifying events -- nearly every summer since then.
"It's kind of a dilemma: Going around the globe, playing basketball, have fun," he said, "or spend time with your kids and have fun and see how they're growing."
