Russell Westbrook announced his retirement on Wednesday after 18 seasons in professional basketball. The 37-year-old guard, who was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, shared the news through a social media video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan. Westbrook played for seven franchises throughout his career and retired as the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles.
Westbrook’s career achievements include nine All-Star selections, two All-NBA first-team honors, five second-team selections, two third-team selections, two All-Star Game MVP awards, and two scoring titles. He led the league in assists on three occasions and was named to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. Over 1,301 games, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. He ranks 14th on the all-time scoring list with 27,176 points and fifth in career assists with 10,351, making him one of only two players alongside LeBron James to surpass 25,000 points and 10,000 assists.
Early in his career with the Thunder, Westbrook teamed with Kevin Durant and James Harden to create one of the league’s most compelling rosters. The trio reached the NBA Finals in 2012 but fell to the Miami Heat. Subsequent injuries and Durant’s departure to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 prevented further championship runs. Westbrook’s 2017 MVP season featured historic individual performances, including a 57-point triple-double against Orlando and a buzzer-beating 50-point triple-double versus Denver.
Westbrook became the fourth player ever to average a triple-double for an entire season and accomplished this feat four times, surpassing all other players. His most recent significant milestone came in 2021 while with the Washington Wizards, when he surpassed Oscar Robertson’s triple-double record. He also achieved rare statistical distinctions, including a 20-point, 20-rebound, 20-assist game in 2019, a feat shared only with Wilt Chamberlain and Nikola Jokić.
On the international stage, Westbrook earned gold medals representing Team USA at the 2010 World Championship and 2012 Olympics. The guard is widely expected to eventually be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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