NEW YORK CITY -- Regardless of what time the visit is supposed to start, there’s one constant at every Thunder community event involving Russell Westbrook: the Thunder point guard is always there first.
He plays professional basketball in a city that is known for its civic pride, its selfless nature and commitment to looking out for neighbors. After living there for seven years, Westbrook has proven to the fans that fill Chesapeake Energy Arena and those who tune in across the state that he is one of them. Westbrook’s enthusiasm to help those in need, personified by that drive to be the first to every event the team hosts, comes out of his pores just like the sweat he leaves on the floor each night.
On Tuesday night, just prior to the NBA’s Draft Lottery where Westbrook represented the Thunder on the dais, the four-time All-Star anxiously awaited two separate moments. Minutes before he had to step on stage in front of a national audience, sporting an orange and cranberry floral button down shirt, the three-time winner of the Western Conference Player of the Month Award this past season was presented with yet another plaque – the 2014-15 season-long NBA Caress Community Assist Award.
"I'm happy that I was able to accomplish a lot of great things throughout the year for my foundation," Westbrook said. "I learned a lot about myself, other people and kids as well. I'm excited and blessed to have that honor."
"We think it's tremendous, we could not be happier for Russell," Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti said. "It's historic for our organization given how intertwined our team and players are with the community, and Russell has really set the bar this season. He's a tremendously well rounded person, he has his fashion interest, his foundation work, and I think he represents the best of what it means to be a professional athlete in terms of his commitment to his craft. He's continuing to help define what it means to play for the Thunder, leading both on and off the floor, he's a tremendous ambassador."
The recognition from the league, voted on by fans and an NBA panel, serves to single out the player who best demonstrated their passion, commitment and relentless efforts to give back to their local community, which Westbrook has done for years, highlighted by the 2014-15 season.
"Thanks to all the fans for voting for me and respecting some of the things I was doing off of the floor," Westbrook explained. "Basketball is a huge part, but off the floor is where you make the most impact in meeting people and finding ways to touch as many people as you can."
Westbrook’s ever-expanding mission to help youths started early in the season, when he opened the first of three “Russell’s Reading Rooms’ in an Oklahoma City elementary school, helping him win the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for October.
As the year progressed, Westbrook hosted his traditional events – a Thanksgiving dinner for the Boys & Girls Club, of which he is a former member, and a Christmas party underprivileged children. As the year progressed, Westbrook surprised kids from the Make-a-Wish Foundation, made visits to hospitals and participated in Thunder events that helped Oklahoma’s citizens.
As his final act of the season, Westbrook got even more creative. Kerstin Gonzalez, a single mother of two from Oklahoma City was going about her day when Westbrook dropped by Sunbeam Family Services to present her with a brand new car, which he was given as a part of winning the 2015 All-Star MVP award.
"That was very emotional for everybody," Westbrook explained. "I was just happy that I was able to bless her and her two kids with a brand new car that she doesn't have to worry about...It makes me want to do more when you get that feeling and you can see it in people's eyes."
Presented by Kaiser Permanente, the season-long Community Assist award comes with a $25,000 donation to Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation, which was launched in 2012 and works to help children facing hardships, support community-education and promote family service programs.
"We have a goal as a foundation to reach as many kids in the inner city as possible, to try to find ways to better their education and better them as people," Westbrook said.