Westbrook makes largest donation to UCLA by a basketball player in school history

The UCLA Athletic Department is pleased to announce a significant financial contribution from NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook to its Mo Ostin Basketball Center project – the largest by a former basketball student-athlete in school history. In honor of Russell’s gift, the UCLA Men’s Basketball practice floor inside the program’s new state-of-the-art facility will be known moving forward as Russell Westbrook Court.

UCLA will formally recognize Russell’s generosity and welcome him back to Pauley Pavilion when the Bruins face the Arizona Wildcats on January 7. Russell, along with wife Nina (Earl) Westbrook – a former UCLA women’s basketball student-athlete – and parents Russell and Shannon Westbrook, will be sitting courtside and honored at the Bruins’ Pac-12 Conference home opener. Additionally, to commemorate the evening, all fans in attendance will receive complimentary eyeglass frames, a trademark of Russell’s at post-game NBA press conferences, courtesy of Wescom.

"Russell isn’t merely a dominant force in the NBA, he’s a force to be reckoned with in the community as well,” said Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero. “While his Why Not? Foundation’s mission is to inspire the lives of children and teach them to never give up, the fact of the matter is, having witnessed firsthand and from afar his growth over the years, Russell himself is an inspiration. We could not be more proud of his leadership both on and off the court since he left Westwood, and I know the Bruin faithful will be excited to welcome him back home next month and thank him for this tremendous gift.”