Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook's No. 0 on Feb. 7
TLDR: Oklahoma City will raise Russell Westbrook's No. 0 to the rafters on Feb. 7, 2027, honoring the 2016-17 MVP and all-time triple-double leader who spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Thunder.
The news landed Monday afternoon, and the biggest NBA insider in the game had it first.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook's No. 0 in the rafters on Feb. 7.
Sam Presti made the announcement at Oklahoma City's Day One Luncheon with Westbrook on stage next to him. This comes less than 3 months after Russ called it a career. He announced his retirement on Aug. 12 after 18 NBA seasons, and the first 11 of them, from 2008 to 2019, were in OKC. The date the Thunder picked is a big one, too. They'll do it at home against the defending champs.
The Thunder announce below that they will retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 jersey on Feb. 7 when Oklahoma City plays host to the reigning champion New York Knicks.
Look at what Westbrook was in Oklahoma City. Seattle took him 4th overall in 2008, a few weeks before the franchise moved, so he was there from the very first night of Thunder basketball. He won scoring titles in 2014-15 and 2016-17. In that 2016-17 season he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists and won MVP. He finished his career with 209 triple-doubles, the most in NBA history, and he averaged a triple-double for a season 4 times. Eight of his 9 All-Star selections came as a member of the Thunder.
Presti doesn't usually talk in big statements, so it says something that he called this a legacy, not just a great run.
Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti on OKC’s plans to retire Russell Westbrook’s jersey: “Many players make an impact, but only great players leave a legacy. Russell Westbrook’s legacy was built both on the court and in the community. His mindset was relentless, his commitment deep. For all those reasons, Oklahomans consider him one of their own and his number will be raised to the rafters, in Oklahoma City forever.”
The community part isn't just PR. When Kevin Durant left for Golden State in 2016, Westbrook stayed and became the whole franchise by himself. That's the season he won MVP. Chairman Clay Bennett put it plainly: the team sees Russ as an Oklahoman for life, not just a guy who used to play there.
Thunder chairman Clay Bennett on OKC’s plans to retire Russell Westbrook’s jersey: "We are incredibly proud to retire Russell’s number. Russell made a lasting mark on the city and state during his time with the team, and his involvement in the community has endured long after. We are deeply grateful for his genuine care for the people of Oklahoma, and he will always be considered a member of the Oklahoma City community."
No. 0 will be only the 2nd jersey retired purely for what a player did in Oklahoma City. The other one belongs to his old teammate Nick Collison, whose No. 4 is already up there. It's a little funny that the guy who defined the Thunder's chaotic, everything-at-once era is getting this honor right when OKC is winning with a more polished young core. Still, everything they've built started with Russ going full speed for 11 years. Feb. 7 against the Knicks is circled, and if anybody is going to cry at center court with the arena shaking, it's Russell Westbrook.
More Stories
Yaxel Lendeborg scores 37 as Warriors beat Clippers
Jayson Tatum head injury: returns, scores 32 vs. Magic
Luka Doncic scores 45 in Lakers win over Raptors
Isaiah Collier option declined by Utah Jazz, Ace Bailey kept
Paolo Banchero injury: Magic lose 108-97 to Celtics
Dwyane Wade statue gets new head at Heat's Kaseya Center
