Russell Westbrook III (born November 12, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
A member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2016–17 season.
In 2017 Westbrook became one of two players in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season, along with Oscar Robertson in 1962.
He also set a record for the most triple-doubles in a season, with 42.
Early life and career of Russell Westbrook
Westbrook was born in Long Beach, California, to Russell Westbrook Jr. and Shannon Horton. He has a younger brother named Raynard.
Growing up in Hawthorne, Westbrook and his best friend Khelcey Barrs III had hopes of going to UCLA and playing together.
In May 2004, Barrs died from an enlarged heart during a pick-up game.
Westbrook entered Leuzinger High School as a point guard who stood only 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall and weighed only 140 pounds (64 kg), although he did have large (size 14) feet.
He did not start on his school’s varsity team until his junior year, and did not receive his first college recruiting letter until the summer before his senior year.
Westbrook grew to his adult height of 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) that same summer.
Westbrook wore number 0 throughout his career at the University of California, Los Angeles.
As a freshman in 2006–07, he played as a backup to Darren Collison and was primarily used as a defender and energy player off the bench.
Westbrook averaged 3.4 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists on the year.
During the offseason, he trained extensively, both in the weight room and in the gym, where he faced NBA veterans who visited Los Angeles.
The next season, Collison was injured and Westbrook was named the starter.
He finished the season averaging 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals.
At the end of the year, he was named All-Pac-10 Third Team and won the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
Westbrook decided to forgo his final two years and enter the 2008 NBA draft.
He stayed in school and finished the quarter, a rarity for high draft picks declaring early for the draft.
Westbrook was selected 4th 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 with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
To begin the 2015–16 season, Westbrook and Durant both dropped 40 points against the Orlando Magic on October 30, becoming the first teammates in NBA history to do so multiple times, having previously done it in 2012.
In December against Denver, they became the first teammates to each have at least 25 points and 10 assists in a regulation game since 1996.
On January 4, he was named Western Conference co-Player of the Month for December alongside Durant.
In the playoffs, Westbrook helped guide the Thunder past the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, and then the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the defending champion Golden State Warriors, and took home court advantage after stealing Game 1 of the series.
With the series tied at 1–1 after Game 2, the Thunder returned home and took a 3–1 advantage with two home wins.
In Game 4, Westbrook recorded his fifth career playoff triple-double with 36 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 118–94 win.
Despite going up 3–1 in the series, the Thunder were defeated 4–3 by the Warriors to bow out of the playoffs.
On July 16, 2019, Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets for All-Star Chris Paul, two protected first-round picks, and two second-round pick swaps.
Trades
On December 2, 2020, amidst rumors that he and Harden were unhappy and wanted out from the Rockets, Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a 2023 lottery-protected first-round draft pick.
On August 6, 2021, Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the third time he was traded and his fourth team in three years; the Wizards acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Aaron Holiday, Spencer Dinwiddie, and the draft rights of Isaiah Todd in the deal.
Russell Westbrook Contract
Russell Westbrook is on a 5 yr(s) / $206,794,070 with the Lakers
Who is Russell Westbrook’s Wife?
He is married to Nina Earl.
Nina Earl is a former UCLA basketball player, businesswoman, and a licensed therapist.
Westbrook and his wife have three children: one son and twin daughters.
How much is Russell Westbrook worth?
Russell Westbrook has a net worth of $170 million as of 2022.
Russell Westbrook Age
Russell Westbrook is 33 years old currently, he was born on 12th November, 1988.
Russell Westbrook Shoes
He has a deal with the Jordan Brand.
Russell Westbrook’s latest Jordan Brand signature sneaker, the Why Not. 5, has been officially unveiled recently.
He has “KB3” on his sneakers in honor of his childhood friend Khelcey Barrs III who died in 2004.
