Russell Westbrook
NBA Veteran, Philanthropist, NBA MVP, Top 75 Player of All-Time
Russell Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and former MVP, has left his mark on the game with record-breaking triple-doubles and unmatched intensity, while using his platform to uplift communities through education, business, and his signature ‘Why Not?’ philosophy.
Topics
- Branding
- Fashion
- Philanthropy
- Inspiration & Motivation
- Legacy
Social
Bio
Russell Westbrook, III was born in Los Angeles, California.
After two years at UCLA Russell opted to leave school and pursue a professional career. Many thought this was the wrong decision but Russell believed in himself and “Why Not?” He was selected fourth overall by the Seattle Supersonics in the 2008 NBA draft, which became the Oklahoma City Thunder shortly thereafter. During his career Russell was named a nine-time NBA All-Star, won two scoring titles, two NBA All-Star game MVP awards, and was named the NBA MVP for the 2016-2017 season. Russell was just the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season and currently owns the record for the most triple-doubles in the history of the NBA. He is currently a member of the Denver Nuggets.
Russell’s accomplishments go far beyond the basketball court as he started the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation in 2012. His foundation is dedicated to inspiring the lives of children, empowering them to ask “Why Not” and teaching them to never give up. Giving back to his community is incredibly important to Russell and he was recognized for his philanthropic efforts in 2015 when he received the NBA’s season long Community Assist Award. Through his foundation, he partnered with the LA Promise fund to launch the Westbrook Academy, a charter middle and high school in South LA that delivers a world class education and provides wrap-around services for the next generation of academic achievers, athletes and leaders.
As chairman of Russell Westbrook Enterprises, Russell brings together his relentless work ethic and his earnest pursuit to positively impact his communities. Russell Westbrook Enterprises connects Russell to the wider business world and is a vehicle to help Russell positively influence communities by providing products, services, resources and employment opportunities. He also founded Russell Westbrook Digital, a certified minority owned business, an industry leading platform that delivers unparalleled returns for advertisers looking to reach diverse audiences.
Russell fell in love with fashion at a young age and continued that passion into his adult life, creating Honor the Gift, a Los Angeles based fashion brand in 2016. HTG is a men’s clothing and accessories brand rooted in self belief and creativity and encourages you to honor your gifts, whatever those may be. Honor the Gift is sold online and in hundreds of retail stores around the world including Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Selfridges, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In 2015 Russell married his college sweetheart, Nina, who also played basketball at UCLA. Russell and Nina are the proud parents of a son, Noah, and twin girls Skye and Jordyn.
Speakers
Richard Jefferson
ESPN & YES Network Analyst, NBA Today Studio Analyst & In-Game Color Analyst, & 17-Year NBA Veteran
Sharlee Jeter
President of Turn 2 Foundation, Inc., VP of Strategy & Development of Jeter Ventures
Robin Roberts
Co-Anchor, “Good Morning America”, President, Rock’n Robin Productions, Best Selling Author
Blake Griffin
14-year NBA Veteran, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist, 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30
