Russell Westbrook (Part 1)

Russell Westbrook III, born on November 12, 1988, is an American professional basketball player currently competing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Known for his dynamic playing style, Westbrook made his NBA debut in 2008 and quickly rose to stardom as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Throughout his career, he has played for multiple NBA teams, showcasing his versatility and talent on the court.
Westbrook honed his skills at the collegiate level playing for the UCLA Bruins, where he earned third-team all-conference honors in the Pac-10. His impressive performance caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who later relocated to Oklahoma City.


During his 11 seasons with the Thunder, Westbrook emerged as one of the league's top players, making appearances in the NBA Finals in 2012. In 2019, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, followed by a brief stint with the Washington Wizards in 2020. Westbrook then joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 2023. However, he was subsequently bought out of his contract and joined the Los Angeles Clippers later in the 2022–23 season.
Throughout his career, Westbrook has garnered numerous accolades, including being named a nine-time NBA All-Star, earning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2016–17 season, and securing a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He is known for his exceptional scoring ability, rebounding prowess, durability, and intense competitiveness on the court.
In addition to his success in the NBA, Westbrook has also represented the United States national team, winning gold medals in the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics. His impact on the game of basketball both domestically and internationally has solidified his legacy as one of the most influential and talented players of his generation.


Russell Westbrook III was born in Long Beach, California, to parents Russell Westbrook Jr. and Shannon Horton. He grew up in Hawthorne, California, where he shared a close bond with his younger brother, Raynard. Westbrook's childhood aspirations included attending UCLA and playing basketball alongside his best friend, Khelcey Barrs III.
Barrs, who was recognized for his exceptional basketball talent and had already received college scholarship offers by the age of 16, tragically passed away from an enlarged heart during a pick-up game in May 2004. Westbrook was deeply affected by his friend's untimely death, and it fueled his determination to succeed in basketball in honor of Barrs' memory.
To commemorate his best friend, Westbrook consistently wears a "KB3" wristband as a tribute to Khelcey Barrs III. This gesture serves as a constant reminder of their friendship and the impact Barrs had on Westbrook's life.


Russell Westbrook's journey to basketball stardom began at Leuzinger High School, where he initially entered as a 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall point guard weighing only 140 pounds (64 kg). Despite his diminutive stature, Westbrook did not start on the varsity team until his junior year, and he received his first college recruiting letter only during the summer before his senior year.
However, Westbrook experienced a significant growth spurt during that same summer, shooting up to his adult height of 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m). This transformation boosted his basketball abilities and caught the attention of college recruiters. In his senior year, Westbrook showcased his talent by averaging impressive statistics, including 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 2.3 assists per game, leading his team to a 25–4 record.


During his senior year, Westbrook recorded numerous double-doubles, scored 30 or more points in eight games, and even achieved a career-best performance of 51 points in a single game against Carson on January 6, 2006. Despite his outstanding performances, Westbrook initially did not attract much attention from top college basketball programs.
However, his increased height and stellar senior season performances garnered the interest of UCLA Bruins coach Ben Howland. Westbrook ultimately accepted Howland's recruitment offer to play for the Bruins, declining other opportunities while waiting for a scholarship to open up due to Jordan Farmar's early departure for the NBA. This decision marked the beginning of Westbrook's collegiate basketball career and set the stage for his future success in the sport.


During his tenure at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Russell Westbrook donned the number 0 jersey. As a freshman during the 2006–07 season, Westbrook served as a backup to Darren Collison, primarily showcasing his defensive prowess and providing energy off the bench. He averaged modest statistics of 3.4 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
However, Westbrook's determination and work ethic shone through during the off-season, as he dedicated himself to rigorous training sessions in both the weight room and on the court. He also had the opportunity to compete against NBA veterans who visited Los Angeles, further honing his skills and preparing for the challenges ahead.


The following season, Westbrook's role expanded significantly after Collison's injury, leading to his promotion as the team's starting point guard. He made the most of this opportunity, finishing the season with impressive averages of 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Westbrook's stellar performances earned him recognition, as he was named to the All-Pac-10 Third Team and received the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Despite Westbrook's individual success, UCLA's journey to the Final Four during both of his seasons with the team ended in disappointment. In 2007, they fell to the eventual national champion Florida with a score of 76–66, and in 2008, they suffered a defeat to Memphis with a score of 78–63.
After completing two years at UCLA, Westbrook made the decision to forgo his final two years of college eligibility and enter the 2008 NBA draft. Notably, he chose to finish the academic quarter, a rarity among high draft picks declaring early for the NBA draft, demonstrating his commitment to both his education and his responsibilities as a student-athlete.

References

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3. ^ "Player Bio: Russell Westbrook". uclabruins.com. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
4. ^ Tramel, Berry (March 14, 2013). "Russell Westbrook needs to take over". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013.
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7. a b ""I Believe that Khelcey's Energy Is Inside Russell": The Legacy of Khelcey Barrs". www.vice.com. April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2022. On May 9, 2004, he debuted in Los Angeles' prestigious Drew League at age 16, a rarity for such a young player. DePaul, the school where Wright had committed prior to opting for the NBA draft, extended the first scholarship offer, with a truckload more to come. USC watched him work out. They were drawn to his frame, long and projectable, but more so to the preternatural polish in his game. "You had this sophomore who could rebound the ball, dribble the ball up court, and set somebody else up," says Patrick Cleveland, a former high-school teammate who is now an assistant coach at Leuzinger. "He could go coast to coast and finish. He could shoot the ball. He can pass the ball. He defends."
8. ^ "Leuzinger Hoops Star Collapses, Dies". Long Beach Press-Telegram. May 13, 2004. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
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11. ^ "Russell Westbrook". Facebook. November 12, 1988. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
12. a b c "Russell Westbrook Biography (1988–)". Biography.com. May 27, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
13. ^ "Commentary: Hard work, dedication paying off for UCLA's Westbrook". Los Angeles Daily News. August 29, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
14. ^ Tramel, Berry (April 21, 2010). "Ex-Bruin impressed by Westbrook's game". The Oklahoman. p. 10C. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
15. a b Tramel, Berry (April 17, 2010). "The Right Stuff". The Oklahoman. pp. 1C, 3C. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.