Russell Westbrook announces retirement
The veteran guard, 37, said he is stepping away from the NBA after an impactful 2008–2026 career.
Russell Westbrook announced on social media that he is retiring from professional basketball, bringing to a close an NBA career that spanned from 2008 to 2026.
From UCLA to a lengthy NBA journey
Westbrook arrived in the NBA after starring at UCLA and made his professional debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He remained a face of the franchise even after Kevin Dukent left for what was then the league’s strongest team, the Golden State Warriors, and for years carried his team and city on his shoulders.
Known for his aggressive, all-around style, Westbrook became the league’s record-holder for triple-doubles with 209 such games. His individual honors include the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2017, nine All-Star selections, two All-Star Game MVPs, two All-NBA First Team nods, five Second Team selections and two Third Team selections.
Early in his career he was named to the All-Rookie team in 2009, led the league in scoring twice, led in assists three times and was included among the NBA’s 75 greatest players on the league’s 75th anniversary list. At UCLA he was selected Defensive Player of the Year, and with the United States national team he won two Olympic gold medals.
After his long stint with the Thunder, Westbrook played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and finished his career with the Sacramento Kings.
At 37 years old, Westbrook confirmed his decision to retire on August 12, 2026 via his social channels, closing a notable and often-debated Hall of Fame–caliber career.
Photo: press material from the event
