Russell Westbrook, the NBA’s career leader in triple-doubles and the 2017 MVP, announced on Wednesday that he is retiring after 18 seasons, during which he was named to the league’s 75th Anniversary Team.
The two-time scoring champion shared his decision on social media in a post featuring a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan, with Westbrook never saying a word.
“Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end,” Westbrook wrote. “You had to be there. And now it’s over.”
Westbrook was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, shortly before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Thunder and played for the Sacramento Kings last season.
Westbrook led the NBA in assists three times and was a two-time All-Star Game MVP. He also won an Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games.
He finishes his career with 209 triple-doubles, the last of which came on 15 March. Nikola Jokic ranks second in the category with 198 heading into this season. Westbrook also holds the NBA record for most triple-doubles in a single season, with 42 in 2016-17, when he won his only MVP award.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti described Westbrook as “the ultimate competitor”.
“His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organisation from day one in 2008 and he elevated the confidence and inspired our community in every year thereafter,” Presti said in a statement. “Russell will be as successful in his life after basketball as he was during his career because his qualities and gifts transfer. His impact on our community is still felt today, and he is beloved for his devotion as much as his talent.”
Westbrook averaged double figures in both points and assists in five of the six seasons beginning in 2015-16.
He also played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, splitting the 2022-23 season between the two Los Angeles teams and the Denver Nuggets.
Last season, Westbrook started 58 of the 64 games he played for Sacramento, averaging 15.2 points and 6.7 assists.
