Russell Westbrook Retirement Announcement Prompts Tributes From LeBron James, Ciara, Kevin Hart and More
The former NBA MVP and future Hall of Famer walks away from the game after 18 years.
Russell Westbrook #18 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center on March 8, 2026 in Sacramento, California.
Photo by Don Collier/Getty Images.
NBA superstar Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement, and the reaction was an outpouring of love and respect for the multi-faceted guard. Westbrook made the announcement in a video post on Instagram, accompanied by narration from Michael B. Jordan.
“You had to be there. And now it’s over,” Westbrook wrote alongside the vid. “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.”
Westbrook was drafted No. 4 overall back in 2008. He would go on to earn the 2016-17 NBA MVP award, nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA honors, two scoring titles and a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season before going on to set the NBA record with 209 career triple-doubles.
Westbrook retired ranked fifth all-time in assists and 14th in career scoring with 27,176 points. He also ends his career as the NBA's all-time leader in triple-doubles and the career leader in rebounds among point guards. Westbrook and LeBron James are the only two players in league history to record 25,000 points and 10,000 assists, per ESPN.
Stars reacted immediately to Russ’s announcement.
“Damn… GOOD SH*T MY BOY!” Shad Moss, aka Bow Wow, commented on Westbrook’s post. Kevin Hart commented, “A F***ING LEGEND.”
Other current and former NBA players offered kudos to the former All-Star. Pau Gasol wrote, "Some careers need no words. Congratulations, Russell." Four-time MVP and new Philadelphia 76er LeBron shared a comment on Westbrook's Instagram retirement, where LBJ congratulated his former teammate.
"HELLUVA CAREER BRODIE," James wrote, "HOF next!!"
You can check out some of the reactions to Westbrook’s retirement announcement below.
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