Russell Westbrook Changes Jersey Number for the Upcoming Season
In a move that has fans and analysts buzzing, Russell Westbrook will not be wearing the familiar No. 0 jersey for the Denver Nuggets in the upcoming NBA season. Instead, the dynamic guard will don the No. 4 jersey — a significant number tied to his past.
This adjustment marks the second occasion in Westbrook's illustrious professional journey that he has switched to the No. 4 jersey. The choice signifies a personal and emotional return to a number he wore during his high school days. "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," Westbrook shared, expressing a deep connection to the number.
The switch was made possible due to a confluence of roster changes and negotiations within the Nuggets team. Initially, Rookie Hunter Tyson held the No. 4 jersey after being a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Having appeared in just 18 games and averaging under three minutes per game, Tyson agreed to switch to No. 5. This act of understanding allowed Westbrook to claim No. 4.
Westbrook's journey to the Denver Nuggets is a story of perseverance and evolution. After being traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, a buyout of his contract enabled him to join the Nuggets in free agency. This transition signified a new chapter in his career, one that he chose to mark with a 'new' number. "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," Westbrook emphasized, referring to Christian Braun — the current No. 0 jersey holder for the Nuggets.
Christian Braun's own history with the No. 0 jersey, having worn it during his high school years, adds another layer to this numerical narrative. Interestingly, Braun's possession of the No. 0 jersey played a part in Westbrook's decision to opt for No. 4. "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 noted, highlighting the unique opportunity this transition presented.
Westbrook's affinity for the No. 4 jersey isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Throughout his career, various team dynamics have deterred him from embracing this number. "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," Westbrook recounted, detailing the circumstances that dictated his jersey choices over the years.
As the new season approaches, fans and teammates alike will undoubtedly be keenly observing how Westbrook's change in number might symbolize a refreshed start or perhaps a renewed vigor on the court. With Christian Braun wearing No. 0 and Hunter Tyson adapting to his new No. 5, the Nuggets will showcase a unique blend of talent, old and new, striving for cohesion and success in the league.
The narrative of jersey numbers, while often seen as a minor aspect of the game, shines a light on the personal journeys and choices of athletes. For Westbrook, choosing No. 4 is not just about a numerical preference but a return to his origins and a testament to his enduring connection to his roots. As the Denver Nuggets gear up for the season, this change encapsulates a fascinating storyline in Westbrook's storied career — one where the number on his jersey signifies much more than just a place on the roster.