Russell Westbrook has concluded his 18-year professional basketball career, announcing his retirement through a video statement released on social media. The 37-year-old guard’s decision marks the end of an illustrious tenure in the NBA that began when he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2008.
Throughout his career, Westbrook established himself as one of basketball’s most dominant forces. A nine-time All-Star and former league MVP, he holds the all-time record for triple-doubles with 209, including an extraordinary 42 during the 2016-17 season when he averaged a triple-double for an entire year. His career statistics reflect his consistency and versatility: he ranks fifth in all-time assists with 10,351 and 14th in scoring with 27,176 points across 1,301 regular-season games played for seven different franchises.
Westbrook’s most notable tenure came during his 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he formed a formidable partnership with Kevin Durant. The duo led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 2012, though they fell short against the Miami Heat. Beyond his individual accolades, which include being named to the league’s 75th Anniversary Team and winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, Westbrook is remembered for his competitive spirit and impact on the communities he represented.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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