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'Let’s Go Ladies!': Russell Westbrook Hypes Up UCLA Women’s Making Final Four
Mar 21, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) blocks a shot during the second half against Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Russell Westbrook couldn’t contain his excitement for the UCLA Bruins’ women’s team as they clinched their spot in the NCAA Final Four for the first time in history. The Denver Nuggets star, who once played for UCLA, reacted to the Bruins’ Elite Eight victory over the LSU Tigers on Sunday.

Westbrook reposted the Bruins’ Final Four hype post featuring the team’s stars on his Instagram story.

“(UCLA Women’s Basketball) LET’S GOOOOOO LADIES!!” Westbrook put in his caption.

The top-seeded Bruins initially trailed the Tigers after the first quarter, but they were able to keep their opponents’ shooting percentages at a low in the following quarters, making for a difference in the game. UCLA eventually sealed the deal and secured their Final Four spot, 72-65.

Russell Westbrook played two seasons with UCLA, averaging only 3.4 points per game as a freshman and starting as a bench player. His sophomore year saw his role expand as he secured a spot in the team’s starting lineup, averaging 12.7 points per game. He was selected as the 2008 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and was selected fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.

Russell Westbrook’s wife joins in the celebration of UCLA’s Elite Eight win

Nina Westbrook, Russell Westbrook’s wife who also once played for the Bruins, joined in the celebration of her former team’s Elite Eight win on Sunday.


Mar 21, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) drives to the basket during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath (26) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

In her Instagram story, Nina posted a clip of her watching her former team celebrate their win over LSU.

“Final Four Time!” she said in her caption.

Nina Westbrook, whose maiden name is Nina Ann-Marie Earl, was a forward for the UCLA Bruins from 2009 to 2011. She averaged 2.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game. She later shifted her focus on academics and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in clinical psychology. According to PEOPLE, she works as a licensed marriage and family therapist.


Mar 23, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) defends as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) controls the ball during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Russell and Nina met while they were in college, connecting on their shared love for basketball. They have three children together: one son and twin daughters.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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