Russell Westbrook’s next move after basketball is keeping his attention on the same thing that has long followed him off the floor: giving back.
The future Hall-of-Famer, who announced his retirement in Aug. 2026 after an 18-season career, is set to host his sixth annual Poker Night on Friday, Sept. 18, in Las Vegas. The event is part of the work run through his Why Not? Foundation, and it has already brought in $2 million for the organization’s mission of creating pathways of empowerment through educational access, workforce development, and vital mental health and wellness programs in underserved communities.
Westbrook said in a statement, "Our upcoming 6th Annual Poker Night is a signature cornerstone of our ongoing work to unlock game-changing futures for underserved youth. With that purpose in mind, my retirement is beyond a farewell, it’s a new door opened for impact at the highest level," Westbrook wrote in a statement."
Basketball gave me the platform, but purpose has helped me reimagine what’s possible. This next chapter gives me the opportunity to invest further in the next generation.
Since 2012, it’s been an honor to build new pathways to success for young people in my hometown of South Los Angeles with the 'Why Not? Foundation.'"
The fundraiser has also drawn a familiar list of NBA names over the past five years, including Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan and DeAndre Jordan.
Westbrook’s playing career still defines how most people will remember him. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008-19, winning an MVP, stacking All-Star and All-NBA honors, and turning the triple-double into his own personal language. Alongside Kevin Durant, he helped make Oklahoma City a constant threat in the playoff picture.
Now, at 37, he’s leaning into the next chapter without stepping away from the identity that made him one of the most recognizable figures of the 2010s. His name remains tied to the Thunder, where he is the franchise leader for most records, and the expectation is that OKC will eventually retire his No. 0 jersey. There’s even the possibility of a statue outside the team’s new downtown arena, which is scheduled to open for the 2028-29 regular season.
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