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 is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player celebrated for his speed, athleticism, and fierce competitiveness. Considered among the greatest point guards, he boasts nine All-Star selections and earned the 2017 NBA MVP award. Notably, Westbrook holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles and was honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Furthermore, he contributed to the U.S. national team's success, securing a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He last played for the Denver Nuggets.
1988: Most triple-doubles by a player in a season since 1988-89
On March 22, 2016, 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, when Magic Johnson had 17 and Michael Jordan had 15.
January 6, 2006: Registered Career-Best 51 Points
On January 6, 2006, Russell Westbrook registered a career-best 51 points at Carson.
2006: Played at UCLA
In 2006, Russell Westbrook played at UCLA. His high school jersey number 4 was already taken by Arron Afflalo, so Westbrook wore number 0 throughout his time at UCLA.
2007: UCLA Lost to Florida in Final Four
In 2007, UCLA, including Russell Westbrook, advanced to the Final Four but lost to eventual national champion Florida, 76–66.
2008: Rookie Season Averages
During the 2008-09 rookie season, Westbrook averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
2008: UCLA Lost to Memphis in Final Four
In 2008, UCLA, including Russell Westbrook, advanced to the Final Four but lost to Memphis 78–63.
March 2, 2009: Recorded 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 to have three straight triple-doubles 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: Scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers
On November 26, 2010, Russell Westbrook scored a then-career-high 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.
2010: Selected to FIBA World Championship team
In 2010, Russell Westbrook was selected to the FIBA World Championship team in Istanbul, Turkey. Team USA won its first World Championship since 1994.
2010: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship
In 2010, Russell Westbrook won a gold medal in the FIBA World Championship as part of the United States national team.
2011: Selected for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game
In 2011, Russell Westbrook was selected as a Western Conference reserve for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first all-star appearance.
January 9, 2012: Signed 5-Year Extension with Oklahoma City
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: Scored Career-High 45 Points
On March 23, 2012, Russell Westbrook scored a career-high 45 points in a 149–140 double overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
October 2012: Westbrook signed with Jordan Brand
In October 2012, Russell Westbrook signed with the Jordan Brand.
2012: Westbrook won a second gold medal
In 2012, Russell Westbrook was selected to play for the Summer Olympic team in London, where he won a second gold medal.
2012: Won Gold Medal at the Olympics
In 2012, Russell Westbrook won a gold medal in the Olympics as part of the United States national team.
2012: Appeared in NBA Finals with the Thunder
In 2012, as a member of the Thunder, Russell Westbrook appeared in the NBA Finals, losing to the Miami Heat.
2012: Selected for the NBA All-Star Game
Russell Westbrook was selected for the NBA All-Star Game in 2012.
November 2013: Westbrook signed with Kings and Jaxs Boxer Briefs and PepsiCo
In November 2013, Russell Westbrook signed with Kings and Jaxs Boxer Briefs and signed with PepsiCo to become the global face of Mountain Dew Kickstart.
February 20, 2014: Returned to Lineup After Knee Surgery
On February 20, 2014, Russell Westbrook returned to the lineup after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He played with limited minutes and sat out the second night of back-to-back games.
May 27, 2014: Recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals against Spurs
On May 27, 2014, in a Game 4 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, Russell Westbrook recorded 40 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 steals.
2014: NBA Scoring Leader in 2014-15
Russell Westbrook was an NBA scoring leader, having led the league in 2014–15.
February 4, 2015: Tied Career-High 45 Points
On February 4, 2015, Russell Westbrook tied a career-high 45 points in a 102–91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
October 30, 2015: Scored 40 points against Orlando Magic
On October 30, 2015, to begin the 2015–16 season, Westbrook and Durant each scored 40 points against the Orlando Magic.
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, solidifying his role as the team's focal point.
2016: Westbrook's Historic 2016-17 Season
Continuing on from his historic 2016-17 season, Westbrook had a triple-double in the Thunder's season opener against the New York Knicks on October 19, 2017.
2016: Earned Second All-Star Game MVP Award
In 2016, Westbrook earned his second All-Star Game MVP award in a 196–173 win by the West, becoming the first player in All-Star history to win consecutive MVPs outright.
2016: Signed 5-Year Extension with Oklahoma City
On January 9, 2012, Russell Westbrook signed a 5-year, $80 million extension to stay in Oklahoma City through the 2016-17 season.
2016: Earned NBA MVP Award for 2016-17 season
Russell Westbrook earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the 2016–17 season.
June 26, 2017: Westbrook Wins NBA MVP Award
On June 26, 2017, Russell Westbrook was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player award, making him the first winner from a team with fewer than 50 wins since Moses Malone in 1982.
September 29, 2017: Westbrook Signs Contract Extension with Thunder in 2017
On September 29, 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder, which began in the 2018-19 season. This deal was the largest guaranteed contract in NBA history at the time.
2017: Westbrook signed a 10-year extension with Jordan Brand
In 2017, Russell Westbrook signed a 10-year extension with Jordan Brand that gave him the largest total endorsement deal of any athlete sponsored by the brand.
2017: Named NBA MVP
In 2017, Russell Westbrook was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
2017: Contract Expiration
In 2017, Russell Westbrook's contract was set to expire, leading to trade speculation. However, the Thunder prioritized retaining him and worked towards a contract extension rather than engaging in trade talks.
March 13, 2018: Westbrook Reaches 100 Career Triple-Doubles
On March 13, 2018, Russell Westbrook recorded his 100th career triple-double, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to reach this milestone. He posted 32 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds in a 119-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
2018: Wizards' First Playoff Appearance Since 2018
After defeating the Pacers, the Wizards clinched the last playoff spot, marking their first playoff appearance since 2018.
2018: Start of the Contract Extension
In 2018, Russell Westbrook's five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder, signed on September 29, 2017, began with the 2018–19 season.
January 10, 2019: Westbrook Records Career-High 24 Assists
On January 10, 2019, Russell Westbrook recorded a career-high 24 assists, along with 24 points and 13 rebounds, in a double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
July 16, 2019: Westbrook Traded to the Houston Rockets
On July 16, 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul, two protected first-round picks, and two first-round pick swaps. This move reunited him with former Thunder teammate James Harden.
October 24, 2019: Westbrook's Rockets Debut
On October 24, 2019, Russell Westbrook made his debut for the Houston Rockets in a 117–111 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the team with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists.
October 26, 2019: Westbrook Passes Magic Johnson in Career Triple-Doubles
On October 26, 2019, in his second game as a Rocket, Russell Westbrook passed Magic Johnson to become second all time in career triple-doubles. He achieved this with a 28-point, 13-assist, and 10-rebound performance in a 126–123 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
2019: Traded to Houston Rockets
In 2019, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets.
January 9, 2020: Westbrook Returns to Oklahoma City as a Visitor
On January 9, 2020, Russell Westbrook returned to Oklahoma City for the first time as a visitor, scoring 34 points in a 113–92 loss.
December 2, 2020: Westbrook Traded to the 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 amidst rumors that he and Harden wanted out from the Rockets.
2020: Traded to Washington Wizards
In 2020, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards after playing one season for the Houston Rockets.
March 30, 2021: Westbrook Records 30-10-20 Triple-Double
On March 30, 2021, Russell Westbrook became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1988 to record a 30–10–20 triple-double, with 35 points, 21 assists, and 14 rebounds in a win over the Indiana Pacers.
August 6, 2021: Westbrook Traded to the 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: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
In 2021, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after a season with the Washington Wizards.
January 4, 2022: Westbrook's First Game Without Turnovers Since March 2016
On January 4, 2022, Russell Westbrook had his first game without any turnovers since March 14, 2016, in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
July 2022: Westbrook Severs Ties with Agent
In July 2022, Russell Westbrook severed ties with his agent, Thad Foucher of Wasserman.
August 1, 2022: Westbrook Signs with New Agent
On August 1, 2022, Russell Westbrook signed with Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports as his agent.
November 2, 2022: Westbrook Describes New Role as Beneficial
On November 2, 2022, CBS Sports reported that Russell Westbrook had described his new role coming off the bench for the Lakers as 'beneficial for everybody'.
2022: Joined Los Angeles Clippers during the 2022-23 Season
In 2023, Russell Westbrook joined the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2022-23 Season after being traded to and bought out by the Utah Jazz.
2022: Player Option Year
Westbrook's contract included a player option for the 2022-23 season.
January 15, 2023: Westbrook Sets Record for Most Triple-Doubles off the Bench
On January 15, 2023, Russell Westbrook recorded his fourth career triple-double off the bench, setting a record for the most triple-doubles off the bench in NBA history. He finished the game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
February 9, 2023: Westbrook Traded to the Utah Jazz
On February 9, 2023, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. At the time of the trade, he was averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds with the Lakers.
February 22, 2023: Westbrook Signs with the Los Angeles Clippers
On February 22, 2023, Russell Westbrook signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with his former Thunder teammate Paul George.
July 6, 2023: Westbrook re-signed with the Clippers
On July 6, 2023, Russell Westbrook re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $7.8 million contract.
July 2023: Coach Lue Praises Westbrook's Effort
In July 2023, Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue praised Russell Westbrook's effort and toughness, stating that Westbrook had "saved" the Clippers during the final 20 games of the regular season after injuries to Paul George and others.
2023: Traded to Utah Jazz and then joined Los Angeles Clippers
In 2023, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz and subsequently bought out of his contract, joining the Los Angeles Clippers later in the 2022–23 season.
2023: Wore Number 4 Jersey
Russell Westbrook wore the number 4 jersey during the 2023-24 season.
July 18, 2024: Westbrook traded to the 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 in a sign-and-trade.
July 26, 2024: Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets
On July 26, 2024, Russell Westbrook signed with the Denver Nuggets.
2024: Traded to Utah Jazz and then 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.
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