Thunder legacy: Westbrook jersey retirement announced

Russell Westbrook will have his No. 0 jersey retired by the Oklahoma City Thunder, a decision announced Monday during a ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The team confirmed the move during the organization's annual Day One Luncheon, an event that honors the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

The announcement serves as a capstone to Westbrook's 11-year tenure with the franchise. After announcing his retirement from the NBA in August following 18 seasons, the former Most Valuable Player now has his place secured in the team's history. He will be the second player in franchise history to receive this honor, following Nick Collison, whose No. 4 jersey was raised to the rafters in 2019.

Westbrook received the 2026 Oklahoma Standard Award during the luncheon, which drew a standing ovation when he took the stage at the Oklahoma Cowboy Hall of Fame. The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of the community. Westbrook expressed gratitude for the recognition and spoke to the city's resilience in the decades since the bombing.

"Being here, I felt at home, and I felt like it was someplace that I could be for a long time," Westbrook said. "And, you know, I call this place home." He noted that the city's continued growth since the explosion remains a defining aspect of his time in Oklahoma City.

The ceremony also featured an update on the museum's planned expansion, a project called Foreword. This addition is designed to complement existing exhibits that document the lives of those killed, those who survived, and those whose lives were altered by the bombing. The new space will include a lobby, expanded programming areas, and updated visitor amenities.

Construction on the expansion is expected to be completed in spring 2027. The 168 Days of Remembrance, which began Monday, lead up to the 31st anniversary of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The tragedy claimed 168 lives, a number that defines the length of the annual commemoration period.

The Thunder will formally retire Westbrook's jersey on February 7. The ceremony will take place when Oklahoma City hosts the New York Knicks at Paycom Center. Westbrook stated that his time in the city shaped his desire to inspire others, a sentiment he carried through his final season and into retirement.