Russell Westbrookâs journey in the NBA has seen him don various jersey numbers as he moved from team to team. As he joins the Denver Nuggets next season, the superstar guard will be making another notable change. For the second time in his professional career, Westbrook will be wearing the No. 4 jersey, leaving behind his iconic No. 0.
Changing Jerseys
The shift in numbers comes as an opportunity for Westbrook to return to his roots. The veteran guard stated, "Obviously I could have stayed with zero if I wanted to, but I just decided to [pick four]. It's kind of my first time in my career I can go back to my original number." Westbrook first sported the No. 4 jersey while in high school, a number that holds personal significance. "Four is my favorite number. It reminds me and it gives me a sense of my roots and where I started from and where I get it from," he added.
Westbrook's professional journey has seen him encounter a series of jersey conflicts. During his stint at UCLA, Arron Afflalo wore the No. 4 jersey. Upon arriving in Oklahoma City, the number was taken by Nick Collison. In Houston, it was Danuel House who occupied the coveted number. Westbrook explained the sequence of events, "When I got to Oklahoma, even at UCLA, I got there, Arron Afflalo had it at UCLA. Then I got to Oklahoma City, Nick Collison had it. Then when I got to Houston, Danuel House had it. So I didn't have an opportunity to kind of go back to my original number." Now, with the Denver Nuggets, he finally has that opportunity.
The Number Switch
The decision to move from No. 0 to No. 4 in Denver was facilitated by a series of trades and agreements within the team. Westbrook was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, and a subsequent buyout allowed him to enter free agency, eventually joining the Nuggets. In Denver, Christian Braun currently dons the No. 0 jersey, the same number he wore during his high school career. Westbrook cleared the air regarding Braun's number, saying, "Let's please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I did want to inquire about or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a 'new' number."
The No. 4 jersey, initially held by rookie Hunter Tyson, has now been handed over to Westbrook. Tyson, a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, had held the number but agreed to switch to No. 5 to accommodate Westbrook. Tyson has appeared in just 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging under three minutes per game, making the transition relatively seamless.
New Beginnings
As Westbrook steps onto the court for the Nuggets, this new jersey number marks a fresh chapter in his illustrious career. While fans may have grown accustomed to seeing him in No. 0, the change to No. 4 is steeped in personal history and significance for the star player. His decision is a nod to his past, offering a deeper connection to the formative years of his career.
With Westbrook now officially part of the Nuggets, expectations are high. The team, which is always looking to bolster its roster, gains a dynamic player known for his energy, competitiveness, and relentless drive. Westbrook's addition to the team heralds exciting prospects for the upcoming season as he aims to bring his signature style and performance to Denver.