Russell Westbrook

Nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP, known for triple-double dominance.

Russell Westbrook III (born November 12, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known for his agility, intensity and explosiveness, he is considered one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016–17 season. He is also a nine-time All-NBA Team member; a two-time NBA scoring leader, having led the league in 2014–15 and 2016–17; a three-time NBA assists leader; and a back-to-back NBA All-Star Game MVP.

Westbrook is one of three players in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, a feat he achieved four times and is the all-time NBA leader in career triple-doubles. He also holds the record for the most career rebounds by a guard. In 2021, Westbrook was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Quick Facts

Born: 12 November 1988
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, U.S.
High school: Leuzinger (Lawndale, California)
College: UCLA (2006–2008)
Draft round: 1
Drafted by: Seattle SuperSonics
Career number: 0, 4, 18
Career position: Point guard

Lore & Background

Westbrook played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins and earned third-team all-conference honors in the Pac-10. He was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who then relocated to Oklahoma City that same week. Westbrook played for the Thunder for 11 seasons and is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. He appeared in the NBA Finals as a member of the Thunder in 2012, losing to the Miami Heat.

In 2019, Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets, playing one season for the organization before being traded again to the Washington Wizards in 2020. After a season in Washington, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021. Following two relatively disappointing seasons there, he was traded to and bought out by the Utah Jazz before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers later in the 2022–23 season. In the summer of 2024, he was again traded to the Utah Jazz and waived preceding his signing with the Denver Nuggets for the 2024–25 season, followed by his signing with the Sacramento Kings for the 2025–26 season. Following the 2026 season, Westbrook retired, concluding his 18 year career.

Reader's Guide

Westbrook was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, which then relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder six days later. He signed with the team on July 5, 2008. On March 2, 2009, Westbrook recorded his first career triple-double. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game in his rookie season.

In his second season, he averaged 16.1 points, 8.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. On November 26, 2010, Westbrook scored a then-career-high 43 points. He was selected for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game. He finished the 2010–11 season with averages of 21.9 points, 8.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

On January 9, 2012, he signed a 5-year, $80 million extension. On March 23, 2012, he scored a career-high 45 points. He averaged 23.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals for the lockout-shortened season and was voted to the All-NBA Second Team again. Westbrook helped lead the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, but they lost in five games to the Miami Heat. In the 2012–13 season, he averaged 23.2 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.