Former Bruin Russell Westbrook continues to make NBA history

Russell Westbrook passed Magic Johnson for 7th on the NBA All time assists list. Continuing a phenomenal career for Westbrook. It all started at UCLA back in 2006. A three-star recruit that was heading to San Diego. Only to have a spot open up with Jordan Farmar leaving to the NBA. Westbrook was able to live out his goal of going to UCLA. Starting his way to stardom and turning from a defensive prospect to one of the best point guards of all time.

Westbrook his freshman year at UCLA was a defensive guy. His offense was still a work in progress, but his ceiling was very high. It wasn’t until his sophomore year that his offensive game grew. While keeping the defensive aspect of things as well. As he won Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Ultimately leading to him being drafted No. 4 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft to the Seattle SuperSonics who would shortly after become the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook had a tremendous career that spanned 11 seasons with OKC. Becoming the all-time leader in triple doubles, NBA Finals appearance, 2017 NBA MVP and nine time All Star. He paired with Kevin Durant to bring the Thunder to prominence in the basketball world. Then showing his loyalty to Oklahoma by staying after Durant left. Westbrook has since bounced around to six teams since leaving OKC via trade to the Rockets in 2019. But his legacy is cemented there and will have his jersey retired.

Passing Magic wasn’t the only accomplishment Westbrook had today. He also recorded his 2000th steal. Becoming just the 14th player in NBA history to do so. Pairing with him being No. 17 in all time points, Westbrook continues to climb leaderboards and is a lock for the Hall of Fame. It is amazing to watch him even at 37 years old. Pretty good for a kid that couldn’t dunk until his senior year of high school. Let’s enjoy the UCLA legend while we still can. The best part is he is very active within the UCLA community still and embraces being an alum.