The 37-year-old made the announcement on social media, sharing a video chronicling his career and narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan.
“Sometimes you don't even know when you've already watched the end,” Westbrook wrote. “You had to be there. And now it's over.”
Westbrook was selected fourth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008 NBA Draft, just days before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.
He spent 11 seasons with Oklahoma City, helping the team reach the 2012 NBA Finals and making nine playoff appearances.
Westbrook reached another milestone during the 2016-17 season when he became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1962 to average a triple-double over an entire season.
He finished that campaign with averages of 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game, earning the NBA Most Valuable Player award. His 42 triple-doubles that season also set an NBA record.
A nine-time All-Star, Westbrook retires with career averages of 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game.
He also leaves the league as its all-time leader in career triple-doubles, with 209. He surpassed Robertson’s previous record of 181 in 2021.
Westbrook later played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, among others, during the latter stages of his career.
He also ranks fifth in NBA history in career assists and 14th on the league’s all-time scoring list with 27,176 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti paid tribute to Westbrook, describing him as “the ultimate competitor” and praising the confidence and fearlessness he brought to the organisation.
Westbrook’s retirement brings the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers of his generation, highlighted by an MVP award, nine All-Star selections, an NBA scoring title and an unprecedented number of triple-doubles.
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