LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo among many in NBA to pay tribute to Russell Westbrook after retirement
Some of the NBA’s biggest stars praised Westbrook for the legacy he leaves behind.
After an 18-year NBA career marked by numerous accolades, including an MVP award, nine All-NBA selections, and two scoring championships, Russell Westbrook announced his retirement on August 12, 2026. The decision came as a surprise, as many in the league had expected him to continue playing at least one more season. Westbrook shared the news through a social media video narrated by Michael B. Jordan, leaving fans and colleagues in shock.
In response to Westbrook's retirement, several prominent NBA figures praised the guard for his relentless dedication and exceptional talent. LeBron James, a fellow Hall of Famer, paid tribute to Westbrook, acknowledging his impact on the game and the passion he brought to every court. Giannis Antetokounmpo, another superstar, lauded Westbrook's hard work and fearlessness, highlighting how his presence touched people worldwide.
Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Westbrook's role in elevating the organization's confidence and inspiring those around him.
Other notable players, such as Serge Ibaka, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Trae Young, and Pau Gasol, also expressed their admiration for Westbrook on social media. The message was clear: Russell Westbrook was a true legend, both on and off the court, and his career would be remembered as one of the greatest in NBA history.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
