The charity foundation of CSKA and Russia forward Andrei Kirilenko will donate a basketball court to a Moscow orphanage, he told RIA Novosti on Saturday.
The former NBA All-Star made the announcement at the opening of a play room that his foundation also paid for at Children's Home No. 59 just outside the capital.
"Today we opened a play room, the basketball court is to come," Kirilenko said. "I want the kids to develop an interest in basketball."
"It is important that they grow physically and lead an active and healthy way of life."
He said 50 tickets to each of CSKA's home games are given to the orphanage.
Kirilenko added he got just as much out of the support visits as the children do.
"It is not all about financial support," said Kirilenko. "To my mind, the emotions and attention are even more important. The kids, in turn, give us motivation."
After a decade with Utah Jazz, Kirilenko returned to his old team CSKA in October due to the NBA lockout. He said he would give all the money he earns in Moscow to his charity foundation Kirilenko for Kids, which has assisted orhpans, sport schools and veterans since 2003.
In his first season back, the 29-year-old became the regular season MVP for Eastern Europe’s VTB basketball league and also was voted the Euroleague's top defensive player.
