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Best Athlete: Russell Westbrook By Laura Araujo R 12


ussell Westbrook didn’t start out a star. In high school, he only made the varsity team as a junior. He was recruited to play in college, but rode the bench much of his fi rst year at UCLA. The summer after his freshman season, he trained hard. When a teammate’s in- jury left an opening in the starting lineup, Westbrook took advantage of the opportunity to shine.


His two-year college career established him as


the No. 4 draft pick in 2008. Days after he signed on with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team relo- cated to Oklahoma City. Since then, the 6-foot 3-inch point guard has been a driving force be- hind the Oklahoma City Thunder, leading the


team to the Western Conference Finals four times and once to the NBA Finals. During his career, Westbrook has been recog- nized as a fi ve-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-Star MVP. He recently completed the longest triple-double streak since Michael Jordan, record- ing double-digit points, assists and rebounds in seven consecutive games. On November 17, 2016, Westbrook was in- ducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Jordan presented him the honor. “I’m truly a fan of his,” Jordan said of


Westbrook at the induction ceremony. “I see a lot of resemblance in his passion for the game of basketball in the way I play the game of basketball.”


Basketball greats Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson have also spoken public accolades about


Westbrook’s athleticism and passion for the game. With Westbrook’s contract set to expire after the current season, many anticipated the Los Angeles native would return to California. But in August, he signed on for three more years with the Thunder. “There is nowhere else I would rather be than


Oklahoma City,” Westbrook said during a press conference on August 4, 2016. “I’ve been here since I was 18, 19 years old. You did nothing but great things for me. Through the good and bad, you supported me through it all. [I] defi nitely want the opportunity to be loyal to you guys. Loyalty is something I stand by.” It’s likely this loyalty that has made Westbrook OKL readers’ pick for the state’s best athlete.


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