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NBA legend Russell Westbrook couldn't dunk a basketball until his senior year of high school. Now, with 652 (and counting), he holds the record for most dunks by any point guard since the NBA began tracking play-by-play data in 1996. To outsiders, that feat seems impossible. For Westbrook, it's a testament to the simple mantra he lives by: Why not?
“Why not?” is more than just a catchy slogan for MVP 2017. What started as an inside joke among high school friends has evolved into a source of inspiration. “It's a confidence builder,” Westbrook explains. “It's a curse, a belief that you can do anything you set your mind to.”
The Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) drafted Westbrook fourth overall in 2008, and the rest is history. But despite his NBA accolades and immense wealth, Westbrook hasn't forgotten his roots. He continues to channel the “Why not?” mantra in business and philanthropy, even making it the name of his foundation.
Rising above adversity
Before becoming a nine-time All-Star, Westbrook was just another kid from South Central Los Angeles, a neighborhood famous for its cultural vibrancy but often overshadowed by issues like gang violence and poverty. “Honestly, many people are not given the opportunities I had,” he reflects. “Not everyone has that path to success.”
Unlike some gifted athletes with incredible size or strength to begin with, Westbrook entered high school at just 5'8″. However, his relentless work ethic earned him a spot in the starting lineup by his junior year .
Westbrook caught a break when he had a growth spurt before his senior year, shooting up to 6'3″ and attracting the attention of college basketball's “blue bloods.” He fulfilled his high school dream by committed to UCLA.Westbrook played two seasons there, winning the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award as a sophomore, before moving on to the NBA, where he currently plays for the Denver Nuggets.
As Westbrook's basketball career grew, so did his commitment to giving back to the community. He founded Why not the Foundation in 2012who recently discovered a state of the art campus for Westbrook Academy in South Los Angeles, serving over 400 students. The academy focuses on education, workforce development and wellness initiatives to revitalize underserved communities. “Why not?” mantra isn't just for me,” Westbrook says. “It's for everyone around me, too.”
Off court Oops
His upbringing gave Westbrook a deep understanding of the resources needed to improve his community. “We try to connect with everyone, no matter their age or interests,” Westbrook says. He has already put his money where his mouth is for this cause, offering a wide range of programs for underserved youth, from cooking to partnering with Small kitchen for coding about Code.chella. “I'm a hands-on kind of person,” Westbrook says. “So it's hard for me to tell others that they should just focus on education. I think there are different ways to help different people.”
Westbrook sees the partnership with Little Kitchen as a prime example. “It gives inner-city kids the resources and opportunities to learn the finer details of cooking, something they can use in their everyday lives,” says Westbrook. “Growing up in the inner city, there are experiences you may never have the chance to pursue. Providing people with the resources to try new things and believe they can achieve them goes a long way.”
Known throughout the league as a stellar teammate and leader, Westbrook's presence off the court is just as strong. The active NBA player, entrepreneur, designer, philanthropist and business owner still makes time to check in on students whenever possible. It's a little more difficult now that he's not playing in LA, but Westbrook knows the value of little things like just showing up. “Money is great,” he says, “but time is more important. If you grew up in an underserved community, being present matters more than just writing a check.” He goes a step further, emphasizing the difference between being present and just being there. “It's vital that people see you and be able to touch you and talk to you,” Westbrook says. In that spirit, Westbrook recently teamed up with the Epworth Foundation for this year's Denver Feed-A-Family event, honoring the late Denver philanthropist “Daddy” Bruce Randolph's legacy with a $20,000 donation, providing 7,500 Thanksgiving food baskets to those in need.
While he can't always be there in person, Westbrook's impact is deeply felt at the school that bears his name. Along with serving on the board and providing academic resources, he infused the Westbrook Academy campus with his personal style, including a mural of South LA icon and rapper Nipsey Hussle, his late friend and fellow artist. favorite. “The things Nip was doing and what he meant to LA inspired me,” Westbrook says. “He showed us all the importance of giving back and helping your community grow.” In 2019, after posting a 20-20-20 triple-double, Westbrook dedicates incredible feat to Nipsey.
Forming a legacy
Westbrook isn't just a philanthropist; he is also a consummate entrepreneur. In 2016, he achieved his lifelong dream of founding his own clothing brand. Honor the gift. Like many of his philanthropic endeavors, Honor the Gift is steeped in the culture of the city of LA. “Each collection tells a story and carries a message rooted in the inner city,” says Westbrook. “That's the foundation of my creativity. I want people to look at 'Honor the Gift' and feel a real connection, like, 'That brand resonates with me.'
Related: How LeBron James Became a Billionaire
Westbrook acknowledges that he is uniquely positioned to support his community with a multi-million dollar bank account and a platform with a suitable following. However, he believes that everyone can find a way to help those less fortunate. “The most important thing is to do something that feels natural and meaningful, not forced,” says Westbrook. “Find a goal that you really care about, something you love, that helps others, and go after it with all your heart.” The triple-double king has nearly 10,000 assists in his NBA career, but none of them mean as much to him as the ones he gives off the court.