MOSCOW - Russia great Andrei Kirilenko on Tuesday announced his decision to retire.

One of the finest to don the Russia national team shirt, the 34-year-old says the time is right to leave the hardwood.

"This is a chance to finally conclude my career," Kirilenko told the R-Sport news agency.

"Just physically, for every player in any sport there is a limit and I feel that it is difficult to keep yourself at the same level that it has been for 20 years.

"In my head I am ready to play and play, but at the moment, perhaps it is the right time to move in another direction, so to speak, more mentally rather than physically."

So what next for a player who had a long career in the NBA, most of it spent with the Utah Jazz, and with Russia's national team?

Kirilenko sees himself as a possible candidate in the upcoming Russian Basketball Federation elections.

"Actually, I cannot say that this idea was born out of the blue," Kirilenko said.

"Having reached this point in my career, I think that I have accumulated enough experience from my time spent in Russian, European and American basketball.

"I have experienced different organizations and various management methods.

"I think that this experience can be valuable to our country's basketball structure."

Kirilenko returned to Europe in February following a 13-year career in the NBA and joined CSKA Moscow for a third spell, helping the club win the VTB United League title.

His most famous moment with Russia was in 2007 when, under coach David Blatt, he provided much of the inspiration for the national team that surprised hosts Spain to capture the EuroBasket title and reach the Beijing Games.

Kirilenko also led Russia to a third-place finishes at EuroBasket 2011 and the following year at the London Olympics.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for more coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA