Russell Westbrook Announces Retirement After 18 Seasons

Russell Westbrook, renowned for holding the NBA record in career triple-doubles and honored as the 2017 MVP, has declared his retirement from professional basketball. This announcement comes after an illustrious 18-season career, where he also earned a coveted spot on the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. The retirement news was made public through social media, accompanied by a video with narration from actor Michael B. Jordan, in which Westbrook himself remains silent.

Westbrook’s social media post read, “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end…You had to be there. And now it’s over.” His professional journey began when he was selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, promptly transitioning to the Oklahoma City Thunder following the team’s relocation. His remarkable tenure included his first 11 seasons with the Thunder, concluding with a season with the Sacramento Kings.

Throughout his career, Westbrook was a two-time scoring champion and led the league in assists three times. His excellence on the court also translated to two MVP titles in the All-Star Game. A highlight of his career was securing an Olympic gold medal during the 2012 London Games. In terms of statistics, Westbrook amassed a total of 209 triple-doubles, achieving his last one on March 15. This feat places him ahead of Nikola Jokic, who holds the second spot with 198.

In the 2016-17 season, Westbrook set a record for the most triple-doubles in a single season, with 42, which awarded him his solo MVP accolade. He consistently averaged double figures in points and assists in five of the six seasons starting from 2015-16.

In addition to the Thunder and Kings, Westbrook’s career also saw him playing for Houston, Washington, and both Los Angeles teams, the Lakers and Clippers, during the 2022-23 season, which he split with a stint in Denver. Last season, Westbrook was a starter in 58 of the 64 games he played for Sacramento, averaging 15.2 points and 6.7 assists per game.