The former UCLA star says he wants to empower and inspire the community he came from
Russell Westbrook has dedicated himself to excellence on the basketball court and in doing so, has reaped many blessings. Now he wants to follow in the footsteps of other current and former NBA stars like Alonzo Mourning, Jalen Rose, and LeBron James by extending those blessings to those coming after him.
As reported by People, Westbrook will follow in the footsteps of the legendary players by also establishing a school in his name. In conjunction with L.A. Promise Fund, the 32-year-old Washington Wizards player, a Los Angeles native, is planning to open the Russell Westbrook Why Not Academy in South L.A., which will be a middle and a high school.
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“The Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy will deliver world-class education to South Los Angeles youth grades 6 through 12 to develop academic achievers, athletes and active citizens committed to social change,” a press release said.
Westbrook and his wife Nina Earl, who have three children are working on the academy together with Westbrook’s longtime business partner Donell Beverly. Westbrook and Beverly plan to be on the school’s board “oversee developments at the schools.”
Westbrook has been involved in philanthropic projects through his 13 seasons in the league in both Oklahoma City and in Houston before he joined the Wizards last year.
The 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player is happy to be a part of something that will allow him to give back in a significant way.
“I’ve realized through the work with my Why Not? Foundation how often schools in underserved communities lack the resources and funding needed to support their students,” he said in a statement to People.
Source: NBA star Russell Westbrook to open middle and high schools in Los Angeles
