Russell Westbrook’s community impact in Oklahoma City remembered
Russell Westbrook, who recently announced his NBA retirement, is being celebrated in Oklahoma City for his contributions to the Boys and Girls Club and the community.
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder legend, announced his retirement from the NBA after 11 seasons with the team, leaving behind a legacy of community contributions in Oklahoma City.
Westbrook and his brother grew up attending the Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles, which inspired him to give back to the Boys and Girls Club in Oklahoma during his time with the Thunder.
“He would look each child in the eye and speak to each child individually, and make every single one feel unique and special,” said Teena Belcik, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County.
Westbrook’s contributions to the community were numerous and heartfelt.
“That’s a real gift, and that means a lot to anybody, but certainly to kids who are looking at somebody who may be an idol or someone they see on their TV every night, and it leaves a lasting impression. He has left a real legacy here,” Belcik said.
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Westbrook spent 11 seasons as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder and gave back to the community in countless ways, including providing Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of families.
“He provided Thanksgiving dinner for about 900 people, our kids and their families, every year at Thanksgiving,” Belcik said.
Not all of his contributions were public.
“There were times where he did a lot of things under the radar. He provided college scholarships for a number of our kids, things that he never really announced or talked about, which just spoke to his effort to get back in the community,” Belcik said.
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Westbrook also encouraged children to dream big, often using his personal motto, “Why not?”
“He would also ask them a lot about, you know, what do you want to do when you grow up? And, you know, kids might say, well, I’m not sure. And he used to ‘why not’ express it a lot. Well, why not? Or why don’t you think you could do that? And he’s just like, don’t let things stop you,” Belcik said.
Even though it has been years since Westbrook wore Thunder blue, his picture still hangs in the gym at the Boys and Girls Club as a reminder of his contributions to the community.