Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement from basketball on social media, bringing an end to one of the most distinctive careers in NBA history after 18 seasons.
The 37-year-old played his final season with the Sacramento Kings, averaging 15.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds across 64 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.
Selected with the fourth pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, Westbrook spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder and became the face of the franchise following Kevin Durant's departure.
His greatest individual season came in 2016-17. Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists, recorded a then-record 42 triple-doubles, and was named NBA MVP.
Westbrook leaves historic triple-double legacy
Westbrook went on to average a triple-double in four different seasons, something no other player had accomplished, and ultimately became the NBA's all-time triple-double leader. He finishes with 209 regular-season triple-doubles.
The explosive guard was selected to nine All-Star Games and nine All-NBA teams during his career. He also climbed to fifth on the NBA's all-time assists list during his final season and became the first guard in league history to surpass 9,000 career rebounds.
After Oklahoma City, Westbrook represented the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and finally Sacramento.
Although an NBA championship ultimately escaped him, Westbrook reached the 2012 NBA Finals with the Thunder and won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
His career will be remembered most for his relentless playing style and unprecedented statistical production, particularly the triple-double numbers that once appeared almost impossible to reach.