Recently retired NBA star Russell Westbrook wants to be a torchbearer for the 2028 Summer Olympics in his native Los Angeles.
Westbrook, 37, surprisingly announced his retirement after 18 NBA seasons during the summer. He was honored by the Los Angeles City Council on Friday for his acclaimed career in addition to the community work he and his Why Not? Foundation have done for the city.
As he accepted a certificate presented by Los Angeles city councilwoman Heather Hutt for the investments his foundation made in the region’s schools, athletic facilities and other development projects, Westbrook made his pitch for carrying the torch during the 2028 Olympic Games.
“I’m putting this out now: I want to be in the presentation of Los Angeles, as it pertains to carrying the torch during the 2028 Olympics,” Westbrook said, via ESPN’s Ben Golliver.
Russell Westbrook says he wants to be a torchbearer for the @la28 Olympics. pic.twitter.com/GIAV69zkJB
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) October 9, 2026
Born in Long Beach and attending high school at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, Westbrook is a Los Angeles area native. He played college basketball at UCLA and had stints with both the Lakers (2021-23) and Clippers (2023-24) during his NBA career.
Westbrook twice led the NBA in scoring and was a three-time assists leader. He earned NBA MVP honors for the 2016-17 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists, one of four seasons during which he averaged a triple-double. A nine-time All-Star, Westbrook is the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209. (Though Nikola Jokić is gaining on him with 198.)
Last season, Westbrook was still productive, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 64 games with the Sacramento Kings. That made his decision to retire somewhat surprising. Yet being able to make the choice himself, rather than the league telling him he was no longer able to perform was important.
Russell Westbrook was honored today at Los Angeles City Hall by the Councilwoman Heather Hutt’s office for his contributions to the community through the @WhyNotFdn after retiring from the NBA. pic.twitter.com/UAtNNQmhYF
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) October 9, 2026
Speaking before Friday’s preseason game in China between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, former teammate Kevin Durant said he was “a little sad” to learn of Westbrook’s retirement.
“I thought Russ had five or six more years left,” he said.
Earlier this week, two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander praised Westbrook for establishing “the foundation for what we stand on now” and believed “he had a little bit more in the tank.”
Kevin Durant on Russell Westbrook: “I was a little sad. I thought Russ still had 5 or 6 more years left. He’s an athletic body that can still impact the game positively. Congrats to him on an iconic career.” pic.twitter.com/qM2kFpgoFt
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 9, 2026
During Friday’s ceremony, Westbrook encouraged those who work for his Why Not? Foundation to increase their charitable efforts to aid him in being named a torchbearer.
“To be able to [carry the torch], you have to be able to position yourself to have your hands in so many different areas,” he added. “For me, I’m working religiously impacting so many people, advancing technology, energy, education, health care, mental health and wellness. Every aspect, I want to have my hands in to help any way I can.”
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Regardless of what happens with the Olympics, Westbrook intends to continue his charitable investments in the Los Angeles area now that he has more time to devote to those eforts.
“Basketball was something I was doing for fun. That was my outlet,” he said. “Being drafted and being in the NBA was great… Being able to have more time, since my retirement, to give back more and be more present, that’s more important.”