Sonics pick defense
Westbrook wants to get the ball in Durant's hands
Westbrook wants to get the ball in Durant's hands

By Darnell Mayberry

Published: June 27, 2008

Russell Westbrook hardly can believe how far he's come in such a short amount of time.

Featured Gallery

 

Advertisement

Three years ago, he was happy to finally crack his high school starting lineup as a junior. Two years ago, he was just receiving his first batch of college scholarships — by the likes of Kent State, Creighton and San Diego.

Last year, he was a bit player on a stacked UCLA team, averaging just nine minutes and 3.4 points.

Thursday night, the Seattle SuperSonics made Westbrook the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, capping one of the most extraordinary journeys in recent memory.

"It's been real crazy,” Westbrook said. "Every day, I just thank God. I'm blessed. I wake up every day, and I thank God. I just work my tail off every day to try to become the best player I can possibly become. And now, it's finally here.”

Westbrook will now join Kevin Durant and Jeff Green as the foundation of a rebuilding Sonics team that could soon be headed for Oklahoma City.

The six-day trial between the city of Seattle and the Sonics that will determine the future of the franchise concluded in Seattle roughly an hour before the Sonics plucked Westbrook.

A Seattle federal judge will announce Wednesday whether the Sonics are permitted to relocate immediately or must wait until their arena lease expires in 2010.

But Westbrook, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard, didn't express any reservations about the franchise's uncertainty.

"I feel great,” Westbrook said. "The Sonics is a great organization regardless of where it is. The team is great as well, and I know we'll do well as an organization and a team next season. I'm aware that the Sonics might play in either city, but I don't think that's a big issue. I feel a team that has good chemistry and a good organization (won't) have a problem.”

Westbrook is known as a hard-nosed defender and athletic and versatile guard. He averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds for UCLA this season, helping a star-studded Bruins squad go 35-4 and reach the Final Four before losing to Memphis in San Antonio.

For Westbrook, the season was the breakout to his transformation into an NBA-caliber player.

Westbrook entered high school as a scrawny 5-8, 140-pound player. But a growth spurt finally arrived after his sophomore season and eventually shot him to 6-foot-3.

Westbrook put in the work. College coaches took notice.

He averaged 25.1 points and 8.7 rebounds in his senior season, earning him a scholarship to UCLA.

Now, the only question Westbrook faces is whether he can be a full-time floor general in the NBA or is more suited for the shooting guard position.

"I think there are NBA personnel who believe he can make a transition and play point,” said ESPN draft analyst Jay Bilas. "I think he can bring the ball up and initiate an offense. I don't consider him a point guard. He's not a natural at that position. But he may be the best individual defender in the draft, on the perimeter anyway. So he's got a lot to offer.

"When you take Westbrook, you're sort of betting on the come with him that he's going to continue to get better and better.”

Westbrook, who was a sixth man for the Bruins and arguably the third-best player on his team behind Kevin Love and Darren Collison, saw his draft stock soar over the past few weeks.

The Sonics chose the more defensive-minded Westbrook over explosive offensive players such as Arizona's Jerryd Bayless and Indiana's Eric Gordon. The Sonics also passed on highly touted big men Love and Stanford center Brook Lopez.

Kevin Durant, the reigning Rookie of the Year whom the Sonics selected with the No. 2 overall pick last year, approved the selection, however, grinning ear to ear as he stood and cheered Westbrook's selection.

"He's a great defender, a great guy to be around, I heard,” Durant said. "He's a great addition to our team. So I'm excited to play with him next year and I can't wait.”

Westbrook said he considers himself a point guard and looks forward to proving he can play the position.

"I've been working hard this summer,” Westbrook said. "I've been playing point guard all my life pretty much.

"I'm looking forward to getting (Durant) shots, getting him open and making him a better player.”

The Sonics used the No. 24 pick on Serge Ikaba, a 6-10 power forward out of Congo. Seattle also traded two of its four second-round picks, Walter Sharpe of Alabama-Birmingham and Trent Plaisted of Brigham Young to Detroit for Indiana forward D.J. White. The Sonics selected California center DeVon Hardin with the 50th overall selection and Kansas center Sasha Kaun with the 56th pick, before trading him to Cleveland for cash.

Your thoughts!