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Russell Westbrook is one of the most dynamic basketball players in the world today and is currently on his way to being only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard has been one of the most electric players to ever come through the NBA and has shown off a type of athleticism that has only been matched by one Lebron James. Although he’s one of the biggest names in the world today, his popularity does not just stem from his basketball abilities. Let’s take a look at some of Westbrook’s statistics from on the court, as well as some of the activities he’s gotten into off the court
Player Details
Age: 28, (born: November 12, 1988)
Height: 6 feet 3 inches
Weight: 187 lbs
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Nicknames: The Brodie, Russell Beastbrook (via Enes Kanter), Westwolf
College Years
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Not a heavily recruited prospect out of high school, Westbrook played college ball at UCLA. After coming off the bench his freshman year and averaging 3.4 points per game, Westbrook broke out his sophomore year and became the team’s starting point guard with an average of 12.7 points per game, along with 4.3 assists. Westbrook helped lead a Bruins team to the Final Four, where they lost to the Memphis Tigers. Westbrook declared for the 2008 NBA Draft following the Final Four, where he was drafted fourth overall by the Seattle Super Sonics (they moved to Oklahoma City later that summer and became the Thunder).
Stats
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Since he’s been in the league, Westbrook has put up some of the best numbers of any players in the league. For his career, he’s averaged 21.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. As for the triple double statistic I mentioned earlier, Westbrook has 45 career triple doubles, which is the sixth most in NBA history and more than any player since he’s been in the league. Beyond being a stat sheet stuffer, Westbrook has also appeared in five all-star games, winning MVP of two of those games, won an Olympic Gold Medal, and led the league in scoring in 2015. As his career goes forward, his numbers should only get better.
Salary & Contract
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After Kevin Durant left the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, Westbrook signed a three-year $85.7 million contract extension to remain in Oklahoma City. Along with all the money he’s received from playing basketball, Westbrook has many different endorsements, all of which have helped his net worth grow.
Fashion
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Aside from being a basketball superstar, Westbrook has also gained a lot of recognition for being a fashion icon. Ever since he started wearing what some have viewed as “whacky” outfits during his postgame press conferences of the 2012 Playoffs, Westbrook has gotten highly involved in the world of fashion. He’s appeared in GQ several times, designed his own line of glasses, attended both New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, partnered with Barney’s New York to come out with both men’s clothing and jewelry, and has even gone so far as to declare himself the Fashion King. I may not like everything (or anything really) that Westbrook wears, but he’s confident enough to wear what he does and for that, I respect the hell out of him.
Whether it’s from his style of play on the court or the fashion choices he makes off the court, it’s not hard to see why Russell Westbrook is one of the most polarizing figures in sports. Personally, I am a huge Westbrook fan because I don’t think he really gives a damn about what anybody thinks about him, and he’s just going to do whatever the hell he wants. Though I may disagree with his clothing style, I love watching him play and don’t want him to change for anyone. Keep doing you, Russ. And if you ever read this, I just want you to know that, for the record, I took your side in the metaphorical sports divorce you had with Durant.
