Russell Westbrook honored in Los Angeles, targets 2028 Olympic torchbearer role

Former NBA guard Russell Westbrook was honored on Friday for his foundation's charitable work in Los Angeles, Yahoo NBA reported. Multiple outlets, including ESPN, Bleacher Report, and BasketNews.com, reported that the Los Angeles native wants to serve as a torchbearer for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Westbrook played college basketball at UCLA and spent part of his 18-year NBA career with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Yahoo NBA and Yahoo Sports Top. [1][2][8][9][10][11]

The honor comes following Westbrook's retirement from professional basketball on August 12, 2026, after 18 seasons in the league, Yahoo Sports Top reported. His former teammate Kevin Durant said he was a little sad about the decision and believed Westbrook had five or six more years left in his career, according to Yahoo Sports Top. [2][3][6]

Durant and Westbrook played eight seasons together with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Yahoo Sports Top reported. Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star, earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2016-17 season, and holds the NBA record for career triple-doubles. [3][6][12][15]

Westbrook is now expanding his charitable endeavors throughout the Los Angeles area following his departure from the league, Yahoo NBA and Yahoo Sports Top reported. [1][2]