It appears Russell Westbrook isn't one for a quiet retirement. Just two months after a deliberately vague social media post hinting at the end of his NBA career, the nine-time All-Star has publicly outlined his next ambition: carrying the Olympic torch when the Summer Games return to Los Angeles in 2028.
Westbrook made his intentions clear at a Los Angeles City Hall ceremony, where he was honored by the City Council for his career achievements and philanthropic efforts. He stated his goal directly, announcing, "I'm putting this out now: I want to be in the presentation of Los Angeles, as it pertains to carrying the torch during the 2028 Olympics."
For Westbrook, the request is rooted in his deep ties to Los Angeles. He explained that his identity is intertwined with the city. "Anything I do from basketball to business is based around L.A. I wear L.A. on my sleeve," he said. He further noted that "The way I played, the way I operate, even the way I talk and walk is L.A. I'll never change that." He framed his desire to carry the torch as part of a broader commitment, adding, "My legacy will be based on how much I give back to the people of L.A."
His connection to the city runs deep, starting with his childhood in Lawndale, where he attended Leuzinger High School before playing for UCLA. In 2012, he founded the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, which focuses on supporting underserved communities across Los Angeles and Southern California through education, workforce development, and mental health resources. His philanthropic efforts include returning to his childhood school, 75th Street Elementary in South Los Angeles, in 2015 to open a reading room, and the campus's basketball practice court was later named in his honor. Councilmember Heather Hutt, who presented Westbrook with his certificate, affirmed his local roots, stating, "Russell Westbrook is Los Angeles through and through."
Westbrook's retirement itself, announced in August, came as a surprise to some, given his continued strong performance. In his final season with the Sacramento Kings, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists over 64 games. These numbers reportedly drew offers from both the Kings and the Washington Wizards for him to continue playing. However, Westbrook opted to step away on his own terms rather than wait for others to make the decision for him.
His 18-season career was marked by significant achievements, including nine All-Star selections, the 2016-17 NBA MVP award, and a spot on the league's prestigious 75th Anniversary Team. After spending his first 11 seasons with Oklahoma City, he went on to play for the Rockets, Wizards, Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, and Kings. Current Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged Westbrook's foundational impact on the Oklahoma City organization, saying he laid the "foundation we stand on now."
From the vague announcement of his retirement to his direct claim on the 2028 Olympic torch, Westbrook's transition out of professional basketball continues to reflect the independent spirit that defined much of his time on the court: doing things entirely on his own terms.
