Russell Westbrook, an MVP and 9-time All-Star, is planning to build a middle and high school in South Los Angeles. The school will be named the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy, as Why Not? has been Westbrook’s mantra for some time. He has partnered with the L.A. Promise Fund to do so; now, Lebron James isn’t the only NBA player to build a school.
“Creating and supporting educational opportunities for underserved youth has always been a passion of mine. It’s so important that every child has access to a good education regardless of their socioeconomic background.”
Russell Westbrook on building a school
According to People Magazine, Westbrook and his wife, Nina Earl, are working with business partner Donyell Beverly to create the academy. He has said that his goals on the matter are to, “help provide the essential and necessary resources to set them up for success beyond the classroom.” On February 24th, Russ said in a Twitter post that this was “just the beginning.”
The 32-year old Wizards’ point guard grew up in Los Angeles, where he played for Leuzinger High School. He wasn’t a stud coming in, and as a junior, he came off the bench for the varsity team. However, Coach Ben Howland of UCLA saw something in the scrappy young point guard and offered him a scholarship when Jordan Farmar decided to declare for the NBA Draft. Even though he was a backup to Darren Collinson his first year, Westbrook began to slowly turn heads. Steph Curry later said that Westbrook was the best player who had ever guarded him in college, which is serious praise. After two years at UCLA, Westbrook declared for the NBA Draft, and was taken with the 4th pick in 2008 by the Seattle Supersonics.
It is refreshing to see NBA players giving back to their communities. Earlier this season, Westbrook gave a pair of game worn shoes to a Capital One Arena stadium worker.
More than anything, the coolest thing to see would be a high school basketball game between the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy and Lebron James’ I Promise School. Who do you think would win the epic high school showdown? Let me know in the comments below, don’t forget to follow the blog, and as always, have an awesome day!
NBA Blog 
Great blog again. Wish more professional athletes would help others and give back to their communities. After all how much money do they need. Buying fancy cars, yachts, big houses benefit only the player. You can’t take these things with you when you go. As Denzel Washington once said “I have never seen a U-Haul trailer behind a Hearst”. Records such as; points scored, assists. rebounds, steals, etc. are temporary and will be broken. Building schools, clinics, awarding scholarships, etc. will keep their memory alive forever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I could not agree with you more.
LikeLiked by 1 person