The Oklahoma City Thunder announced they will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 in the rafters on Feb. 7.
The Thunder selected Westbrook in the first round in 2008, just days before the team officially became the Thunder after relocating from Seattle.
Westbrook played the first 11 years of his 18-season career in Oklahoma City. He paired with Kevin Durant to turn the young Thunder into one of the best teams in the league. After Durant departed in free agency following the 2015-16 season, Westbrook’s stature in Oklahoma City grew.
The next season, Westbrook became the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season since Oscar Robertson. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists and was named league MVP. He continued to average a triple-double for the following two seasons, his final ones with the Thunder.
“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,” Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti said in a statement Monday. “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.”
A Trade That Reshaped the Franchise
The Thunder traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets ahead of the 2019-20 season. That offseason saw the team move away from the Westbrook-Paul George pairing and establish the foundation for the franchise’s current run of success.
After one season in Houston, Westbrook played for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.
Legacy and Retirement
A nine-time All-Star and member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team in 2021, Westbrook announced his retirement this offseason. His No. 0 will be the second jersey retired by the Thunder, joining Nick Collison’s No. 4.