Westbrook's New Chapter: A Return to His Original Jersey Number
In a notable shift, Russell Westbrook will not be wearing his iconic No. 0 jersey for the Denver Nuggets next season. Instead, the seasoned point guard has opted to revert to No. 4, a number he last wore during his high school days. This decision marks the second time in his career that Westbrook has made this switch, and it represents a meaningful choice for the former MVP.
Westbrook's path to becoming a Nugget was indirect. He was initially traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz. However, a buyout of his contract facilitated his move to Denver via free agency. The transition to the Nuggets also came with a decision to leave behind the No. 0 jersey.
Christian Braun currently holds the No. 0 jersey for the Nuggets, adding another layer to Westbrook's decision. Addressing speculations and clarifying his stance, Westbrook stated, “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.” This statement underlines Westbrook's respect for Braun and the thought behind his decision to move away from No. 0.
Shifting to No. 4 is not just a practical decision for Westbrook; it is a nod to his roots. "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," shared Westbrook. The significance of this number is deeply personal, offering him a sense of connection to his beginnings and early influences in basketball.
Throughout his professional career, Westbrook has often found himself in situations where No. 4 was unavailable. Reflecting on these instances, he mentioned, “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.” This recurrent circumstance showcases the symbolic importance of No. 4 and Westbrook's eagerness to reclaim it when possible.
The current holder of the No. 4 jersey for the Nuggets is Hunter Tyson. The rookie, a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has appeared in just 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging under three minutes per game. In a team-oriented move, Tyson agreed to switch to No. 5, allowing Westbrook to claim his desired jersey number. This gesture by Tyson exemplifies the camaraderie and team spirit within the Nuggets roster.
Reflecting on his choice and the fresh start it symbolizes, Westbrook expressed, "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." This statement encapsulates Westbrook's sense of renewal and the opportunity to reconnect with his past through this numeric transition.
The decision to change numbers might seem trivial to some, but for players like Westbrook, it can be a significant part of their professional identity. As he prepares to take on new challenges with the Denver Nuggets, Russell Westbrook's choice to wear No. 4 is a testament to his journey, personal history, and a reconnection with his formative days in basketball. His story continues to evolve, marked by decisions that reflect both his past and his aspirations for the future.