NBA triple-double king Westbrook to retire after 18 seasons

SACRAMENTO, California — Russell Westbrook, the NBA's career leader in triple-doubles and the 2017 MVP, announced Wednesday that he's retiring after 18 seasons, during which he was selected 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 where the guard never says a word.

"Now that you decided to step away from everything, on your own terms, what are you most proud of," the narrator asks.

"He didn't say a word, and, somehow, I understood everything."

"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 the No 4 pick in 2008 out of UCLA by the Seattle SuperSonics, just before they moved to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder. He played his first 11 seasons at OKC, and spent this past season with the Sacramento Kings.

Westbrook led the NBA in assists three times and was a two-time MVP of the All-Star Game. He won an Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games.

Westbrook leaves with 209 triple-doubles, the last on March 15. Nikola Jokic ranks second in that category, with 198 going into this season. Westbrook also holds the NBA mark for most triple-doubles in a season with 42 in 2016-17, when he earned his only MVP award.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti called Westbrook "the ultimate competitor".

"His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization 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 for points and assists in five of six seasons starting from 2015-16.

Westbrook also played for Houston, Washington, the Lakers and the Clippers — splitting the 2022-23 season between the Los Angeles teams and Denver.

Last season, Westbrook started 58 of the 64 games he played for Sacramento. He averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 assists.

In a recent appearance on CNN to discuss his philanthropic work, Westbrook — who averaged 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game over his career — was asked about the fact that he hadn't yet been signed.

"I don't think about it, honestly," he said. "I love playing basketball, and if it happens, it works, and that's my plan."

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