The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 jersey on Feb. 7, with a ceremony scheduled around the team’s home game against New York. Westbrook, 37, announced his retirement last August after 18 NBA seasons.
Westbrook spent 11 seasons with Oklahoma City, from 2008 to 2019, and became one of the franchise’s defining players. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2017 and led the Thunder to the playoffs nine times, including four appearances in the Western Conference Finals and one trip to the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City lost the 2012 Finals to the Miami Heat.
In the 2016–17 season, Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. He recorded 42 triple-doubles that season and was named MVP. His 209 career triple-doubles are the most in NBA history.
Westbrook holds Oklahoma City franchise records for games played, with 821, as well as points (18,859), rebounds (5,760) and assists (6,897). Thunder president Clayton Bennett said the team was proud to retire his number and praised his impact on the city and state, including his continued community involvement.
The fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft, Westbrook also played for Houston, Washington, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers, Denver and Sacramento. He was the NBA’s leading scorer in 2015 and 2017.
Sources: ANSA Sport.