Russell Westbrook

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Lore & Background

Westbrook's journey began in earnest on March 2, 2009, when he recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Houston Rockets. He became the third rookie in franchise history to achieve this feat. Over 11 seasons, he wore number 0, a choice made because his preferred number 4 was taken by Nick Collison. His resilience shone through injuries; after tearing his right meniscus on April 25, 2013, he returned from surgery quickly but faced further setbacks in the 2013–14 season with arthroscopic surgery that sidelined him until after the All-Star break. Despite these challenges, he led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, scoring a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 4 against the Miami Heat before falling in five games.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere shifts when Westbrook touches the ball on January 9, 2012. He signs a massive 5-year, $80 million extension, locking himself to Oklahoma City through the 2016–17 season. Just weeks later, on March 23, he erupts for a then-career-high 45 points in a double-overtime thriller against the Minnesota Timberwolves, securing a 149–140 victory. This intensity defined his playoff runs; in the 2009 first round against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers, he elevated his game to average 20.5 points and 3.2 steals per series. By the 2016–17 campaign, the narrative shifted from supporting a superstar to carrying the entire franchise, as he became one of three players in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season.

Reader's Guide

Westbrook's path to OKC was paved by his college success at UCLA, where he wore number 0 because number 4 was occupied. He arrived after averaging 12.7 points and 3.9 rebounds as a starter in 2007–08, earning All-Pac-10 Third Team honors. Upon entering the 2008 NBA Draft, he was selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, who relocated to Oklahoma City that same week. He signed on July 5, 2008, immediately adopting number 0 again as Nick Collison held number 4. His rookie season saw him average 15.3 points and 5.3 assists, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. The team qualified for the playoffs in his second year with a 50–32 record, setting the stage for his evolution into an MVP candidate.

Did You Know?

• Westbrook wore number 0 at UCLA and with the Thunder because his preferred number 4 was already taken by teammates Arron Afflalo and Nick Collison.
• He is the all-time NBA leader in career triple-doubles and one of only three players to average a triple-double for a full season.
• Westbrook scored a playoff career-high 43 points in Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
• On March 2, 2009, he recorded his first career triple-double (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), becoming only the third rookie in franchise history to do so.
• He holds the record for the most career rebounds by a guard in NBA history.