Russell Westbrook, who played two seasons for UCLA before entering the 2008 NBA draft, has made the largest donation ever by a former Bruin basketball player. (John Lazar/Staff)
Russell Westbrook’s name will soon grace the floor of UCLA’s new basketball practice facility.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star has given an undisclosed sum to the still-under-construction Mo Ostin Basketball Center, a figure that UCLA described as the largest donation ever by a former Bruin basketball player. The men’s practice court will be named Russell Westbrook Court.
“That’s an honor,” Westbrook said Monday. “When I heard that I was a little surprised. I can’t wait until it’s all said and done to go in and shoot.”
He added that he still returns to Westwood during the summer to work out at least twice a week.
Part of two Final Four runs in his two college seasons, the 6-foot-3 point guard was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, and left school that same year to become the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft. He has since become a four-time All-Star, and led the league in scoring last season at 28.1 points per game.
He will be formally recognized at Pauley Pavilion during the Bruins’ game against Arizona on Jan. 7.
In July, UCLA stated that it had raised $16 million toward its new basketball facility, including $10 million from record executive Mo Ostin. On Monday, the school said that it now has $17 million toward its goal of $25 million. The building is slated for completion in 2017.