Image via Complex Original
Russell Westbrook is shining.
Did you know that he didn’t make the starting lineup at Leuzinger High until his junior year? Or that he didn’t receive his first recruiting letter until just before his senior year? Or that he played just nine minutes per game during his first year at UCLA? That wasn’t very long ago.
Yet now we’re looking at the NBA’s next star, the best point guard you’ve ever seen, the most jaw-dropping athlete in the world—a 6'3", 26-year-old sensation that dunks like Godzilla, dominates like Jordan, and styles like your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.
Westbrook isn’t just unique; he’s something we’ve never seen before. His combination of on-court ruthlessness has Kobe marveling. His off-court self-awareness has brands turning their keys over. Whereas it was once unfathomable to list the Oklahoma City Thunder as anything but Kevin Durant’s team, it’s now a legitimate question, and that has less to do with problematic injuries for KD and more to do with Westbrook’s innate desire—his need, to have it all.
On the heels of a February that saw the NBA’s leading scorer average 31.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game—numbers that have somehow improved in March—there was never a better time to celebrate the rise of the man leading the modern athlete into a new world.
Here is An Illustrated History of Russell Westbrook.
Illustrations by Timothy McAuliffe (@thegoldvan)
Helps UCLA Reach the Final Four (3/29/08)
Before he was a star, Russy was an energy player on two Final Four teams, starting for UCLA in 2008 and dropping 22 points on Memphis in his final collegiate game. Even as a youngster, everyone knew he could sky. They just didn’t know how high he would reach.
Gets Drafted (6/26/08)
No one thought Westbrook would go No. 4 overall—no one except the Thunder. But the Thunder saw a young fella who always fought. He fought when he was a 5'8" high school freshman, fought when he was a backup in college, and fought so hard in the NBA that everyone soon took notice.
Wins Olympic Gold (8/12/12)
The best Olympic basketball team since the Dream Team played 20 years prior? It’s possible. Westbrook played a key role off of the bench, causing havoc, recklessly dunking, and pressuring guards so heavily that Team USA often called off the dogs.
Signs With Jordan Brand (10/11/12)
The NBA’s leading style icon getting with the industry’s hottest brand? We could dig it. Like Andre 3-Stacks and Big Boi, these two deserved each other and Russ immediately started showing out in JB’s hottest new signatures.
Covers Complex Magazine (3/11/13)
Cats grew up wanting to shoot like Bird, pass like Magic, and be like Mike. Now they want to dress like Westbrook. Oh, and play like him too. His 2013 cover story with Complex was all about uncovering what happens when you mix a pit bull with a butterfly.
Soars for Alley-Oop From KD (3/28/14)
Putting Kevin Durant and Westbrook together is like getting a mouthful of too much wasabi. You can’t get a taste and not make the stink face. The NBA found that out the hard way.
Touches the Sky With Monster Reverse Dunk (1/18/15)
Westbrook isn’t just having a career year; he’s having an all-time year and keeps getting better, no matter the odds. If he isn’t the NBA MVP this year, someone has some explaining to do.
Becomes Campaign Creative Director for True Religion (2/5/15)
Remember when everyone thought that the NBA dress code would ruin creativity? Well, we’re about to hit the future. Having Westbrook as True Religion’s creative director has us salivating to see what he comes up with next.
Participates in New York Fashion Week (2/13/15)
Westbrook has become a regular at NYFW over the last few years and his new collection from Barneys is as bold as it is diverse. From shades to bags to neon print suits, homie is doing what he always does: standing out.
Wins NBA All-Star Game MVP (2/15/15)
New York City’s NBA All-Star Weekend culminated with Westbrook turning the big game into his own personal show, setting the tone and attacking like it was a Game 7, and finishing with 41 points. His coming-out party doesn’t sound right. After seeing his numbers since then for OKC, this was more like a launching point.