Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Russell Westbrook

Discover the career path of Russell Westbrook, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Russell Westbrook III is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Primarily a point guard, Westbrook entered the NBA in 2008 and rose to prominence with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has played for six NBA teams throughout his career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1988: Most Triple-Doubles in a Season Since 1988-89

On March 22, 2016, Russell Westbrook recorded his 15th triple-double of the season and 34th of his career, amassing the most triple-doubles by a player in a season since 1988-89.

January 6, 2006: Career-Best 51 Points

On January 6, 2006, during his senior year, Russell Westbrook registered a career-best 51 points at Carson High School.

2006: Freshman Year at UCLA

In 2006, Russell Westbrook began his freshman year at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

2007: UCLA Lost to Florida in Final Four

In 2007, UCLA advanced to the Final Four during Westbrook's season with the team. They lost to eventual national champion Florida, 76–66.

July 5, 2008: Signed with the Seattle SuperSonics

On July 5, 2008, Russell Westbrook signed with the Seattle SuperSonics.

2008: Rookie Season Averages and Honors

In 2008, Russell Westbrook averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game in his rookie season and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2008: NBA Draft and Seattle SuperSonics Relocation

In 2008, Russell Westbrook was selected with the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who then relocated to Oklahoma City that same week.

2008: UCLA Lost to Memphis in Final Four and NBA Draft

In 2008, UCLA lost to Memphis in the Final Four. After two years at UCLA, Westbrook decided to forgo his final two years and enter the 2008 NBA draft.

March 2, 2009: First Career Triple-Double

On March 2, 2009, Russell Westbrook recorded his first career triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

2009: First Player Since LeBron James

On February 27, 2015, in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Westbrook recorded 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists to become the first player to have three straight triple-doubles since LeBron James did so in 2009.

November 26, 2010: Career-High 43 Points Against Indiana Pacers

On November 26, 2010, Russell Westbrook scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.

2010: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal

In 2010, Russell Westbrook represented the United States national team and won a gold medal in the FIBA World Championship.

2010: Selected to FIBA World Championship team

In 2010, Russell Westbrook was selected to the FIBA World Championship team in Istanbul, Turkey, and won his first World Championship since 1994 with Team USA.

2011: First NBA All-Star Game Selection

In 2011, Russell Westbrook was selected by NBA head coaches to be a Western Conference reserve for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first all-star appearance. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team.

January 9, 2012: Signed 5-year extension with Thunder

On January 9, 2012, Russell Westbrook signed a 5-year, $80 million extension to stay in Oklahoma City through the 2016-17 season.

March 23, 2012: Career High 45 Points

On March 23, 2012, Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 45 points in a double overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

October 2012: Signed with the Jordan Brand

In October 2012, Westbrook signed with the Jordan Brand. His first commercial was with the Jordan Brand and Champs in which a high school athlete purchased Jordan gear from Champs and transformed into Westbrook and won a state championship.

2012: NBA Finals Appearance with the Thunder

In 2012, Russell Westbrook appeared in the NBA Finals as a member of the Thunder, losing to the Miami Heat.

2012: Olympics Gold Medal

In 2012, Russell Westbrook represented the United States national team and won a gold medal in the Olympics.

2012: Started Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation

In 2012, Russell Westbrook started the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, promoting community-based education and family service programs.

2012: Selected to play for 2012 Summer Olympic team

In 2012, Westbrook was selected to play for the Summer Olympic team in London, where he won a second gold medal.

April 25, 2013: Right Knee Injury

On April 25, 2013, Russell Westbrook injured his right knee after a collision during a playoff game against the Houston Rockets.

April 27, 2013: Knee Surgery

On April 27, 2013, Russell Westbrook had surgery on his right knee and was declared out for the rest of the playoffs.

November 2013: Signed with Kings and Jaxs Boxer Briefs and PepsiCo

In November 2013, Russell Westbrook signed with Kings and Jaxs Boxer Briefs and also became the global face of Mountain Dew Kickstart for PepsiCo.

February 20, 2014: Return to Lineup

On February 20, 2014, Russell Westbrook returned to the lineup after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

May 27, 2014: 40 Points, 10 Assists and 5 Steals

On May 27, 2014, Russell Westbrook recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals in a Game 4 victory against the San Antonio Spurs.

2014: NBA Scoring Leader

In 2014, Russell Westbrook was an NBA scoring leader, having led the league in 2014–15.

February 4, 2015: Career High 45 Points

On February 4, 2015, Russell Westbrook tied a career-high 45 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

October 30, 2015: Westbrook and Durant Each Scored 40 Points

On October 30, 2015, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant each scored 40 points against the Orlando Magic to begin the 2015-16 season.

2015: Named Marketing Creative Director of True Religion

In 2015, Russell Westbrook was named Marketing Creative Director of the denim brand True Religion.

August 4, 2016: Westbrook Signs Contract Extension with Thunder

On August 4, 2016, Russell Westbrook signed a three-year, $85.7 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming the team's focal point.

2016: NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2016, Russell Westbrook earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016–17 season.

2016: Launched Honor the Gift

In 2016, Russell Westbrook launched the unisex streetwear brand Honor the Gift, a tribute to his upbringing in Hawthorne and Los Angeles.

2016: All-Star Game MVP

In 2016, Russell Westbrook was voted to start in his first All-Star Game and earned his second All-Star Game MVP award. He became the first player in All-Star history to win consecutive MVPs outright.

September 29, 2017: Westbrook Signs $205 Million Contract Extension

On September 29, 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which at the time, was the largest guaranteed contract in NBA history.

2017: Signed extension with Jordan Brand

In 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a 10-year extension with Jordan Brand, marking the largest endorsement deal for any athlete sponsored by the brand.

2017: NBA MVP

In 2017, Russell Westbrook was named the NBA MVP.

2018: Wizards Clinch Playoff Spot

After losing to the Celtics for the No. 7 spot in the play-in tournament, Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal led the Wizards to a blowout win over the Pacers to clinch the last playoff spot and the Wizards' first playoff appearance since 2018.

July 16, 2019: Westbrook Traded to Houston Rockets

On July 16, 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, two protected first-round picks, and two first-round pick swaps, reuniting him with James Harden.

October 24, 2019: Westbrook Debuts with Rockets

On October 24, 2019, Russell Westbrook made his debut for the Houston Rockets in a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the team with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists.

2019: Trade to Houston Rockets

In 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets, playing one season for the organization.

December 2, 2020: Westbrook Traded to Washington Wizards

On December 2, 2020, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a 2023 lottery-protected first-round draft pick amid rumors of unhappiness with the Rockets.

2020: Trade to Washington Wizards

In 2020, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards after playing one season for the Houston Rockets.

August 6, 2021: Westbrook Traded to Los Angeles Lakers

On August 6, 2021, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson.

2021: Produced Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre

In 2021, Russell Westbrook made his production debut with Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre about the Tulsa race massacre. He also produced Why Not? and Passion Play: Russell Westbrook.

2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Russell Westbrook was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Trade to Los Angeles Lakers

In 2021, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after a season with the Washington Wizards.

February 9, 2023: Westbrook Traded to Utah Jazz

On February 9, 2023, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.

February 22, 2023: Westbrook Signs with Los Angeles Clippers

On February 22, 2023, Russell Westbrook signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with former teammate Paul George.

July 6, 2023: Westbrook re-signs with the Clippers

On July 6, 2023, Russell Westbrook re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for a two-year, $7.8 million contract.

July 2023: Coach Lue Praises Westbrook's Impact

In July 2023, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue praised Russell Westbrook's effort and toughness, stating that he had "saved" the Clippers during the final 20 games of the regular season.

2023: Traded to the Utah Jazz and Signed with Los Angeles Clippers

In 2023, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz and was bought out of his contract. He then joined the Los Angeles Clippers later in the 2022–23 season.

April 26, 2024: Westbrook ejected from playoff game

On April 26, 2024, Russell Westbrook was ejected from Game Three of the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks after receiving two technical fouls for fouling Luka Dončić and shoving P. J. Washington, in a game the Clippers lost 101–90.

July 18, 2024: Westbrook traded to Utah Jazz

On July 18, 2024, Russell Westbrook, along with draft rights to Balša Koprivica, a second-round pick swap and cash considerations, was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kris Dunn.

July 26, 2024: Westbrook signs with Denver Nuggets

On July 26, 2024, Russell Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets.

November 6, 2024: Westbrook scores 29 points against former team

On November 6, 2024, Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, along with six rebounds and six assists, in a 124–122 win over his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2024: 17th year in the NBA

In the 2024-25 season, Westbrook is in his 17th year in the NBA. In his first five years with Oklahoma City he played in every game.

2024: Trade to Utah Jazz and Signed with Denver Nuggets

In the summer of 2024, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz and waived; he then signed with the Denver Nuggets for the 2024–25 season.

January 10, 2025: Westbrook records triple-double against Nets

On January 10, 2025, Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 124–105 win over the Brooklyn Nets, while his teammate Nikola Jokić also recorded a triple-double.