Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti learned of Russell Westbrook's retirement via a screenshot while on a family trip to Italy.
Sam Presti was overseas exploring his family's ancestry when the news broke. He was in a van in Italy the night before returning home. Without social media, Presti relies on the Thunder's PR team for updates. "I got a screenshot with it. I think I got real quiet, to be honest with you. Because it hit me pretty hard," Presti said. The unexpected announcement marked the end of an 18-season career for the iconic guard.
Westbrook called Presti about an hour later. They shared a long conversation reflecting on his legendary 11-year tenure in Oklahoma City. That run included an MVP award, multiple All-NBA selections, and a defining era of triple-doubles. He is the franchise's all-time leader in numerous statistical categories.
The Thunder selected Westbrook with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. It was a move widely criticized at the time. Westbrook was seen as a raw, defensive-minded guard from UCLA. Many analysts called it a major reach. Presti's staff struggled to even get a full pre-draft workout with him after an early injury.
Presti noted the workout wasn't really about evaluating his athleticism. They already loved that. It was about gauging his character and mental toughness. A subsequent meeting in an Orlando hotel room convinced Presti. Westbrook's answers showed he could handle the pressure of leading an NBA franchise. The pick, of course, proved to be one of the best in league history.
The Thunder's present is brightly focused on the court.
Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page. The connection between the franchise's past and its exciting present is never more clear than in moments like these. Westbrook's legacy as the player who put OKC on the map endures, even as a new generation writes its own story.
