Oct 12, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) looks up at a rebound against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of the preseason game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

During his time with the Utah Jazz, Andrei Kirilenko captured the imagination of Jazz fans with his unique combination of length, athleticism and a penchant for making hustle plays. At his best, he was a defensive nightmare for opponents and the master of the 5×5. Even today, many among the Utah faithful long for his return.

More recently plying his trade for CSKA Moscow, the man dubbed AK-47 had decided to call it a career according to a report on Monday. Now it appears as though that report may have been premature. Kirilenko told ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo via e-mail that retirement is “a possibility, but not certain.” David Pick of Basketball Insiders originally broke the story of Kirilenko’s potential retirement on his Twitter account–

Andrei Kirilenko – wasn't invited to Russian squad at EuroBasket – is retiring. It's a wrap. — David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 1, 2015

Pick clearly had the inside track on Kirilenko’s consideration of retirement as an option, but the former Jazzman doesn’t appear willing to close the door on his hoops career just yet.

While AK-47 is remembered fondly by most Jazz fans, he also ignited controversy. His public breakdown during the 2007 NBA playoffs made national headlines. The maximum contract he received from the franchise following his All-Star season became an albatross of epic proportions. The forward also struggled to remain healthy throughout his NBA career.

Still, Kirilenko remains an intriguing personality, a key component of the best Jazz teams of the last decade-plus and one of the better two-way players in the basketball world. Without question, the forward has left his mark on the sport.

Kirilenko will make a decision on whether or not to continue his career over the summer according to Mazzeo.

Andrei Kirilenko tells @MazzESPN that his retirement is not yet a certainty. Read more: http://t.co/oOykqZQIZa pic.twitter.com/hkSUvvniIh — Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) June 2, 2015

I’m probably not alone in thinking that one last run with our Utah Jazz would make for a fitting farewell tour before AK-47 actually does decide to call it quits. In his time with CSKA, AK has shown that he still has game at 34-years-old–

The team could definitely use some added wing depth and Jazz Nation would relish the opportunity to see Kirilenko before he hangs it up. Stay tuned to Purple & Blues for more on this story as it develops.