Russell Westbrook retires after 18 NBA seasons

Russell Westbrook has officially retired from the NBA after an 18-year career, announcing his decision through a video narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan. His final season was with the Sacramento Kings.

Throughout his extensive career, Westbrook played for seven different franchises, beginning with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also had stints with the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets before concluding his journey in Sacramento.

Individually, Westbrook leaves the NBA as the all-time leader in triple-doubles, with a remarkable 209 recorded. His accolades include the league's Most Valuable Player award in 2017, nine All-Star selections, and two scoring titles. He amassed 27,176 points, 9,025 rebounds, and 10,351 assists over his 18 seasons.

Westbrook's career achievements place him in elite company; he and LeBron James are the only players in NBA history with over 25,000 points and 10,000 assists. His retirement is widely expected to lead to his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.