Russell Westbrook Makes Announcement After Two-Straight Missed Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brett M. Gendoes | Last updated Feb 5, 2025 7:22 PM ET

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook is in his 17th NBA season, and first outside of Los Angeles since the 2020-21 campaign. From Southern California where he starred at UCLA, Westbrook spent the last three seasons playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers.

A nine-time NBA All-Star, Westbrook is averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 48 games for Denver this season. As a starter (27 games), Westbrook is averaging 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

Currently sidelined with a left hamstring strain, Westbrook has missed the last two games for Denver after being injury-free the first 48.

Very involved in the community, Westbrook made an announcement on Tuesday that revealed a new way he is giving back to Denver. Quoting a post from Little Kitchen Academy on X, Westbrook announced he has expanded the Changing Lives from Scratch Fund to his new city.

"#WHYNOT @WhyNotFdn," Westbrook wrote, sharing his motto and tagging his foundation.

#WHYNOT @WhyNotFdn https://t.co/EBhZlLHFLY
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) February 4, 2025

Per Little Kitchen Academy on Instagram, the Changing Lives From Scratch Fund is something Westbrook first launched in Los Angeles, where he played for the Lakers and Clippers.

"Little Kitchen Academy, NBA icon Russell Westbrook, and Iron Chef Cat Cora celebrated their new partnership here at Westfield Century City to launch the Changing Lives from Scratch Fund," Little Kitchen Academy announced on July 25. "This initiative offers cooking classes to over 10,000 kids and teens, boosting their confidence and life skills."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Westfield Century City (@westfieldcenturycity)

While with the Lakers and Clippers, Westbrook got involved with several different LA-based community efforts. The 2017 MVP opened Westbrook Academy in Los Angeles on Sept. 23 (via Why Not? Foundation on Instagram).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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