People love to talk about Russell Westbrook. The 2017 NBA MVP always seems to be in the headlines for one reason or another. Whether he’s squaring off with his former teammate Kevin Durant, talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s success (or lack thereof), or commenting on some other nonsense, the media circus never seems to be far away from No. 0.
Well, it’s time we talked about one side of Westbrook that almost always gets overlooked. The side of him that loves to give back to the community.
In case you didn’t know, Westbrook actually has a foundation, called the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, which empowers children to never give up and always ask, “why not?” It’s an excellent cause, and one that fits the NBA star’s personality, tenacity and drive perfectly. Here’s more background on the foundation, for your information:
The mission of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is to inspire the lives of children, empower them to ask “Why Not?” and teach them to never give up.
The foundation works to help children that are facing hardships of any kind and when faced with that adversity fight to succeed and to never give up.
Russell Westbrook and his brother were taught to ask “Why Not?” every time they were told they could not do something. It is this encouragement and strength that Russell and his family want to spread to children across the country.
Founded in 2012, the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is dedicated to supporting community based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves.
Now that you know a little more about Why Not? Foundation, let’s take a look at Westbrook’s latest act of kindness.
On Tuesday, he took the Kia car he received after winning the NBA All-Star MVP in 2016, and gave it a Los Angeles family. Westbrook, a Los Angeles native who played his college ball at UCLA, reveled in the opportunity to give back to the city that helped him become the elite basketball talent he is today.
Here’s the scoop, courtesy of NBA.com:
Earlier this week, Westbrook teamed with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles to select a family who could benefit from a major gift: the 2017 Kia Sorento SXL that Westbrook won after being named MVP of the 2016 All-Star Game. Westbrook personally surprised Hassan Ibrahim, Jennifer Hall and their four children with the car on Tuesday. Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation is also helping the family by taking care of the car’s registration and insurance for the next year.
Does that sound even slightly familiar? No? Well it should.
Westbrook did the same thing with the car he received after winning the NBA All-Star MVP in 2015.
Back in April of 2015, the Thunder’s intimidating scorer gave the brand-new Kia away to Kerstin Gonzales, a single mother of two from the area. She was recommended to Westbrook as worthy of receiving the keys, and he showed up to deliver a new lease on life to a woman who seemed to appreciate it wholeheartedly.
Russell Westbrook brings tears of joy to single mom Kerstin Gonzales, surprising her w/ @Kia he won as All-Star MVP. pic.twitter.com/fijOHTSc4p
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 6, 2015
Russell wanted to honor "all the hard work she's done to keep her family together. I just want to be able to help others any way I can."
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 6, 2015
Seriously. Whether you like him as a player or not is up to you. In the end, there’s no denying that Westbrook is a good dude. With the help of his foundation, his impact goes so far beyond just giving away cars he’s rewarded as a result of All-Star games. Just a quick scroll down the Why Not? Foundation’s Twitter feed shows him serving Thanksgiving dinner, handing out Christmas presents and taking deserving families on shopping sprees.
Westbrook has everything you want in a superstar athlete — otherworldly talent, a quirky personality and a true care for those less fortunate than him. The Thunder got a good one, and he’s going to spend at least the next few years doing plenty of good for the cities of Oklahoma City and Los Angeles.