Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) reacts after a basket during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center with Russell Westbrook in the background
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
After watching Russell Westbrook announce his retirement over the summer, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain reflected on the future Hall of Fame player’s influence on his career. Before McCain ever set foot in the NBA, Westbrook helped guide him as a teenager and remains a resource today.
Ahead of his first full season with the Thunder, McCain shared how his relationship with Westbrook first began, per Overtime.
“Yeah, it’s pretty crazy, you know, playing for an NBA player, NBA superstar, their team. Like, you never know or expect if they’re going to be around much; they got busy lifestyles,” McCain said. “But when he came to Peach Jam at, like, the end of the season, he was out there coaching me and, like, really into it and helping me off the court. Like, I can hit him anytime, and I know he’ll respond.
“So that relationship built from high school — it’s pretty crazy that he was able to do that. It really helps me because that’s what I want to do for the youth. Whatever I can to help players out, help the youth out, influence them in a positive way — he did that for me, and so I loved playing for Team Why Not.”
After Jared McCain’s rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers was cut short due to a left meniscus injury, he was traded to the Thunder ahead of last season’s deadline and thrived. He averaged 10.4 points on 46.2% shooting, including 39.1% from deep.
Thunder GM Sam Presti’s tribute to Russell Westbrook
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Question 1 of 4
Michael Jordan's last shot as a Bull, the pull-up jumper that sealed the 1998 Finals, came over which Jazz defender?
Jeff Hornacek
Bryon Russell
Thunder GM Sam Presti paid tribute to Russell Westbrook following the guard’s announcement on social media. After Westbrook spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Thunder, he left a lasting impression on the organization. Fans still appreciate his hard work and effort, which Presti addressed in his touching message about Russell.
“Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor,” Presti said. “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.”
“He built a Hall of Fame career not by making statements or simply by breaking records; he did it by showing us all the power of asking one simple question: Why Not?”
Westbrook is still active in the community with his Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, which he established in Oklahoma City in 2012.