Russell Westbrook

November 12, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Russell Westbrook III (born November 12, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association’s Los Angeles Lakers (N.B.A.). He is a member of the N.B.A. 75th Anniversary Team, a nine-time N.B.A. All-Star, and the 2016–2017 N.B.A. Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). He has also been named to the N.B.A. All-Star Team nine times, leading the league in scoring in 2014–2015 and 2016–2017, and earned back-to-back N.B.A. All-Star Game MVP titles in 2015 and 2016. Let us honor this athlete here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Russell Westbrook III

Nickname:

Beastbrook

Birth date:

November 12, 1988

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

6' 3"

Net Worth:

$170 million

Background

On November 12, 1988, Russell Westbrook was born in Long Beach, California. His parents are Shannon Horton and Russell Westbrook. After his birth, they all moved to Los Angeles. His father coached him and his younger brother Raynard. He attended Leuzinger High School. Despite spending a lot of time playing basketball, his mother made sure the boys did well in school.

According to Westbrook, the loss of his friend and teammate Khelcey Barrs III was the most significant turning point in his life. As a result, he began working harder in the gym and quickly became a popular high school player. He eventually made the collegiate basketball team. Throughout his UCLA career, he excelled, and his explosive playing helped his team win the last four positions in two seasons. He got his big break in 2008 when he was selected fourth overall in the NBA draft and was drafted by Oklahoma. He was instrumental in his team reaching the Western Conference Tournament finals in 2011. The coaches selected him for the 2012 N.B.A. All-Star Game the same year. Thanks to his energetic effort, his team made the finals for the first time since the franchise was reintroduced. He missed the first two games of the 2013-2014 season due to a knee injury. He scored 14 points and helped his team win handily in his comeback game against the New York Knicks.

Westbrook underwent arthroscopic surgery shortly after the game and returned in February 2014. After a lengthy absence due to surgeries, he returned to the All-Star Tournament in 2015. He finished with 41 points and was dubbed the “All Star M.V.P.” On September 29, 2017, Westbrook opted for a five-year, $205 million contract deal with the Thunder. Westbrook married his long-term lover Nina Earl in 2015. The couple welcomed a son in 2017 and twin girls in 2018.

Career timeline

2012

The Olympic Gold Medal

Westbrook contributes hugely off the bench, wreaking havoc, recklessly dunking, and putting so much pressure on guards.

2015

The All-Star Game M.V.P.

Westbrook finishes with 41 points and puts on quite a show for the crowd.

2017

The All-time Record is Broken

Westbrook passes Oscar Robertson for having the most triple-doubles in a single season.

2017

The Signing with Thunder

Westbrook signs a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder on September 29, 2017.

2019

The Trade to Houston Rockets

Westbrook is traded to the Houston Rockets in July 2019, reuniting him with former Oklahoma City colleague James Harden.

Why We Love Russell Westbrook

His playing style is unique
Russell Westbrook possesses an explosive style of play as well as a fiery demeanor. He is not a classic point guard as he prioritizes scoring, which is great.
His fashion sense is exquisite
Along with his on-court and off-court persona, Westbrook has an exquisite sense of fashion. His eyewear line, Westbrook Frames, debuted in 2014 and has had some success. His collaboration with Barneys Store, a New York City luxury department store, has also proven profitable. His outgoing personality has also contributed to his cult reputation among his fans.
He is philanthropic
Westbrook is well-known for his charitable activities through his 'Why Not? Foundation,' which organizes a variety of events to give back to the community. The events include feeding the people of O.K.C. and L.A. on Thanksgiving, spending quality time with young children in need, and providing them with shoes, backpacks, and t-shirts, to mention a few.

5 Surprising Facts

Westbrook did not miss a single game
He did not miss a single game during his first three seasons in the league, appearing in all 246 games for the Thunder.
He wears a rubber bracelet
Westbrook wears a rubber bracelet with the initials KB3 to honor his high school friend Khelcey Bars, who died at the age of 16.
Westbrook was the last pick of SS
Westbrook was the last player drafted by the Seattle Supersonics.
His favorite player
As a kid, his favorite player was Magic Johnson.
He is ambidextrous
He eats, writes, and does practically everything else with his left hand while shooting with his right.