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Thunder to retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0
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- Thunder to retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0
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The Oklahoma City Thunder announced plans to retire Russell Westbrook 's No. 0 at the Paycom Center this season. The Thunder cemented those plans for February 7, when they'll host the defending champion New York Knicks. After Thunder GM Sam Presti's emotional reaction to Westbrook's retirement announcement , fans knew there would most likely be a jersey retirement ceremony at some point during the regular season.
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The team confirmed Westbrook's No. 0 will head to the rafters against the Knicks later this season.
Russell Westbrook, who spent 11 seasons in Oklahoma City, is the franchise's all-time leader in points (18,857), second all-time leader in assists (6,897), and the Thunder's third-leading player in rebounds (5,760) and steals (1,442) in franchise history.
Presti released the following statement after the Thunder announced Westbrook's jersey retirement ceremony.
"Many players made an impact, but only great players leave a legacy. Russell Westbrook was built both on the court and in the community," Presti said. "His mindset was relentless, his commitment deep. For all those reasons, Oklahomans consider him one of their own, and his number will be raised to the rafters in Oklahoma City forever."
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Westbrook was named MVP for the 2016-17 season after averaging a league-best 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 1.6 steals, becoming the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season. His 42 triple-doubles during the 2016-17 season are an NBA record, and his 209 career triple-doubles mark the most in NBA history.
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The nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, and three-time assist champion is without a doubt a first-ballot Hall of Fame guard. As arguably the most beloved Thunder player in franchise history, Oklahoma City will forever embrace Westbrook as one of their own.
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Related: Russell Westbrook's emotional reaction to Thunder announcing jersey retirement
