Westbrook, who announced his retirement from the NBA this offseason after 18 seasons, will become just the second player in Thunder history to have his jersey retired, joining Nick Collison’s No. 4.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti praised Westbrook’s lasting influence on the organisation and the Oklahoma City community in a statement released Monday.
“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,” 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.”
Westbrook’s connection to Oklahoma City dates back to 2008, when the franchise selected him in the first round of the NBA Draft shortly before relocating from Seattle.
Alongside Kevin Durant, Westbrook helped establish the Thunder as one of the Western Conference’s most competitive teams, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2012.
However, it was Durant’s departure to Golden State in 2016 that set the stage for Westbrook’s greatest individual achievement.
During the 2016-17 season, Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists, becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double across an entire season.
The historic campaign earned him his first and only NBA MVP award.
Westbrook continued that remarkable production, averaging a triple-double in each of his final two seasons with Oklahoma City before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019.
He subsequently played for Washington, the Lakers, Clippers, Denver and Sacramento before calling time on his career.
A nine-time All-Star and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Westbrook leaves behind a legacy that extends well beyond his individual achievements.
Now, his No. 0 will permanently hang alongside Collison’s jersey in Oklahoma City.
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