Few athletes have had a career as unique as Russell Westbrook III.The Thunder legend announced his retirement on August 12, 2026, after 18 years in the NBA. He ends his career as one of the most important figures in Oklahoma sports history. Westbrook Joins The ThunderWestbrook was drafted fourth in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics; later that week, they became the OKC Thunder, making him the first blue-chip rookie to play for the newly rebranded team. He was a raw, defense-first athlete and offensive slasher with only one speed, and many observers thought the young and unproven Sam Presti might have drafted him too high. Many questioned whether he could actually play point guard.He would soon have his chance. Westbrook began his career on the bench, but when head coach P.J. Carlesimo was fired, new coach Scott Brooks made him starting point guard a few games later. Along with young teammates Kevin Durant, James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Jeff Green, Westbrook became a pillar of the “Thunder U” era, culminating in a 2012 NBA Finals run that saw the Thunder take down the Mavericks, Lakers and Spurs before falling to LeBron James’s Miami Heat.Injuries, bad luck, and personnel changes (including James Harden’s trade to Houston) plagued the Thunder through several playoff runs before Kevin Durant’s shocking exodus to the Golden State Warriors in 2016. KD’s departure was a blow to the fanbase and franchise; many expected Westbrook to follow. Instead, Westbrook re-signed in OKC and had one of the greatest individual seasons in league history. In that 2016-17 season, he led countless improbable comebacks, slashing to the basket, zipping passes and splashing reckless three-pointers with a seemingly endless reserve of energy. Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple double for the entire season, winning the NBA MVP. But the Thunder never quite reached the heights they did in 2012. After several tough playoff losses, the Thunder and Westbrook agreed on a trade to the Houston Rockets. He had played in Oklahoma City for 11 seasons. In the years after the trade, Westbrook played for the Rockets, the Washington Wizards, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Sacramento Kings. Age, cumulative injuries and shooting woes slowed him down in his later career, but he remained an impactful player. He was a key part of Denver’s run in 2025; his last playoff game was in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder beat the Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals on the way to their first championship. It was the closest he had come to a ring since 2016. Sadly, there were no more chances. Westbrook retired as one of only a handful of league MVPs without a championship, joining Karl Malone, Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, Derrick Rose and Allen Iverson. But despite the lack of a ring, his accomplishments speak for themselves. There’s no arguing with Westbrook’s NBA resume. League MVP. Most seasons averaging a triple double in league history. Most triple doubles in league history. Most career rebounds by a guard. Nine All-Star nominations; nine All-NBA nominations; two scoring titles. No one else has ever done what he’s done on a basketball court. He’s also contributed off the court. Westbrook gave much to charitable initiatives throughout his career, particularly in Oklahoma City and his hometown Los Angeles. His perfectionism and work ethic laid the foundation for the Thunder team culture that still exists today. Young athletes across the league have publicly praised his mentorship; despite his prickly reputation with some media and fans, he was beloved by many of the next generation of players. No one knows what the future holds for Russell Westbrook, but two things are certain. He will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame soon. And more importantly for OKC residents, the Thunder will retire his jersey as one of their all-time greats. To the sports world, he’s Russell Westbrook III. But to us, he was Russ. Few of Oklahoma’s residents have raised its profile more than Russ, and few sports franchises have been able to claim a player of his stature as one of their own. He was only here for 11 years, but he left an indelible mark — one that, like his Hall of Fame career, speaks for itself. Thanks for everything, Russ. The post Russ is Retiring appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less