‘Only Great Players Leave A Legacy’: Russell Westbrook To Get Oklahoma City Thunder Jersey Retired In February
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Monday (11/2) that the franchise will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 in February.
The event will take place on February 7, 2027, when the Thunder host the New York Knicks at Paycom Center.
“We are incredibly proud to retire Russell’s number. Russell made a lasting mark on the city and state during his time with the team, and his involvement in the community has endured long after,” Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett said. “We are deeply grateful for his genuine care for the people of Oklahoma, and he will always be considered a member of the Oklahoma City community.”
Westbrook retired from the NBA in August. He spent 11 seasons with the Thunder.
“Many players make an impact but only great players leave a legacy. Russell Westbrook’s legacy was built both on the court and in the community,” Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti said. “His mindset was relentless, his commitment deep. For all those reasons, Oklahomans consider him one of their own and his number will be raised to the rafters in Oklahoma City forever.”
A future Hall of Famer, Westbrook appeared in 821 regular-season games and 98 playoff games with the Thunder. The UCLA product was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Westbrook Is Best Thunder Player Of All Time
Westbrook retired as Oklahoma City’s leader in games played (821), points (18,859), rebounds (5,760), assists (6,897), steals (1,442), field goals made (6,626) and minutes (28,329). The NBA legend averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game in the regular season.
The Seattle SuperSonics became the Thunder in 2008-09. Westbrook holds many OKC records. His numbers don’t count for Seattle since he never played for the SuperSonics.
The 2011-12 Thunder reached the NBA Finals, where OKC lost to the Miami Heat in five games.
Westbrook averaged a triple-double in his final three seasons with the Thunder (2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). He won the 2016-17 MVP award.
A top-75 player of all time, Westbrook averaged 25.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game in the playoffs with OKC.
Russ Played For Many Teams Besides OKC
The Thunder traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets in the summer of 2019. Westbrook worked with OKC on a trade since the franchise was set to rebuild after trading Paul George to the LA Clippers.
Along with the Thunder and Rockets, Westbrook also played for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
A California native, Westbrook made nine All-Star teams and nine All-NBA teams. He won three assists titles and two scoring titles.
Westbrook finished his NBA career with averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game in the regular season and 22.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game in the playoffs. He’s the all-time leader in triple-doubles (209).
