Point guard Russell Westbrook announces NBA retirement after 18 seasons
Former Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday, concluding an 18-season career spanning seven different franchises.
The veteran guard leaves the sport as the undisputed king of the triple-double, holding the all-time league record with a staggering 209.
He famously surpassed Oscar Robertson’s long-standing tally of 181 during the 2021 campaign, breaking a milestone that had remained untouched since 1974.
Oklahoma City legacy and Finals heartbreak
The dynamic playmaker was originally selected as the fourth overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA draft.
However, he spent the vast majority of his professional career representing the Oklahoma City Thunder following the franchise’s relocation.
During his 11-year tenure in Oklahoma, the explosive athlete secured the prestigious MVP award in 2017 after a historic individual campaign.
An iconic trio falls short
Westbrook formed a formidable partnership with fellow future superstars Kevin Durant and James Harden in the early stages of his career.
That young core successfully navigated their way to the Western Conference title in 2012, before ultimately falling to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
Across a remarkable career, the relentless competitor maintained impressive overall averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.