Russell Westbrook Announces NBA Retirement After 18 Seasons

Russell Westbrook, a prominent figure in the NBA and holder of the career record for triple-doubles, has announced his retirement. After 18 seasons, Westbrook decided to step away from professional basketball. His announcement was shared on social media through a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan, where Westbrook himself remained silent. He wrote, “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over.”

Westbrook was selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2008 draft out of UCLA by the Seattle SuperSonics, shortly before their relocation to Oklahoma City. He spent 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder and concluded his career playing for the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook’s illustrious career includes two-time scoring champion titles and leading the NBA in assists three times. Additionally, he was twice named MVP of the All-Star Game and secured an Olympic gold medal in 2012 during the London Games.

He retires with 209 triple-doubles, the last of which he achieved on March 15. Nikola Jokic follows him with 198 triple-doubles as of this season. Westbrook holds the NBA record for the most triple-doubles in a single season, with 42 during the 2016-17 season, which also earned him his sole MVP award. He consistently averaged double figures in points and assists in five of the six seasons beginning with the 2015-16 season.

Throughout his career, Westbrook also played for multiple teams, including the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Clippers. Last season, he divided his playing time between these teams, ending with the Sacramento Kings. During the previous season, he started 58 out of 64 games for Sacramento, averaging 15.2 points and 6.7 assists per game.