UCLA alum and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook announces retirement

Wednesday marked the end of an era for one future UCLA Bruin Hall of Famer. Former NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook announced his retirement after an awe-inspiring 18-year career.

Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.

You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV

Westbrook began his journey at UCLA, spending two seasons in Westwood (2006-2008) before the Southern California native headed to the NBA. After playing in a limited role as a freshman, Westbrook broke out in his sophomore year for the Bruins, scoring 12.7 points with 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

The 2007-2008 UCLA team was loaded with NBA talent, with Westbrook teaming up with Kevin Love, Darren Collison and Luc Mbah a Moute. That Bruins team went 35-4, finishing first in the Pac-10 and reaching the Final Four before bowing out to a Derrick Rose-led Memphis team.

In the NBA, Westbrook played for six different NBA teams but he’ll be remembered most for his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook channeled his inner Oscar Robertson, becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209. Westbrook’s triple-double record is unlikely to stand for too much longer, with Nikola Jokic needing just 11 more to match Westbrook’s total.

Westbrook was a part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, made an All-NBA team nine times and helped lead the Thunder to the 2011-2012 NBA Finals. With Westbrook playing alongside fellow future Hall of Famers, Kevin Durant and James Harden, in Oklahoma City, it’s easy to imagine that the trio would have returned to the Finals if the three stayed on the same team beyond 2012.

After leaving the Thunder, Westbrook had a very productive season with the Washington Wizards before heading to the Houston Rockets. From Houston, Westbrook would play for the Lakers and the Clippers before ending his career by spending one year in Denver with the Nuggets and another in Sacramento with the Kings.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA alum and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook announces retirement