Russell Westbrook’s Best Sneaker Moments

Retiring from the NBA is always a bittersweet moment for fans and for the player stepping away from the game. In the case of Russell Westbrook, it was time to hang it up, as his production in the last few years of his sure-to-be Hall of Fame career was lackluster. Even Russ knew this, as he had the opportunity to play for either the Wizards or Kings this upcoming season but decided to go out on his own terms.

We could reflect on his highlight moments on the court, from averaging triple-doubles to his MVP season and so much more, but we’re interested in what Westbrook wore on and off the court over his 18 years in the NBA.

During his UCLA days, Russ was rocking adidas sneakers, as the school had a deal with The Three Stripes at the time. But once he entered the NBA, he signed with Nike. Over his first four seasons, Westbrook was taking the court in various silhouettes by The Swoosh, primarily sticking to the Nike Hyperfuse and models like the KD 2, Kobe 4, and Zoom Flight V. Then, on October 1, 2012, Westbrook officially jumped to Jordan Brand.

Over the next decade-plus, we’d see Russ get PE colorways of retro Air Jordans, his own lifestyle model, and of course, his own signature sneaker line. Follow along with our favorite Russell Westbrook sneaker moments below.

Khelcey Barrs III Tributes

We’ve got to start this list with something that Russ has been doing well before he entered the league, paying tribute to his late friend Khelcey Barrs III. Westbrook and Barrs lived across the street from one another and grew up as best friends, both becoming basketball prodigies. Unfortunately, Barrs passed away from an enlarged heart at just 16 years old on May 11, 2004 after collapsing on the court during a pick-up game.

Westbrook stayed close with the Barrs family and paid tribute to Khelcey every time he took the court with a wristband that read “KB3,” but he also extended this to his sneakers. Russ would lace up multiple PE sneakers honoring his late friend, and the public had a chance at securing a few Khelcey Barrs colorways on the Why Not Zer0.2, Why Not Zer0.6, and, most recently, the One Take 5.

Debuts Air Jordan XX8

Only two months after officially joining Jordan Brand, Russell Westbrook was tasked with debuting the new Air Jordan XX8. He took the court against the Brooklyn Nets on December 4, 2012 in the zip-up model’s OG Stealth colorway.

The same pair inspired the recently released Air Jordan 4028, which Bam Adebayo rocked during his 83-point game. This wouldn’t be the last time Russ would bust out the Jordan XX8, and he would later receive multiple player-exclusive versions of the silhouette.

Air Jordan XX8 PE Pack

Three different Russell Westbrook Air Jordan XX8 PEs hit shelves on June 8, 2013, including an OKC Home, OKC Away, and Why Not? pair. The home colorway featured perforations on the white shroud, with blue, black, and orange accents seen throughout. The Away pair went all-out on its graphic pattern, applying an OKC-friendly elephant print camo to the shroud. Finally, the Why Not? colorway used blue across the shroud and added orange “WHY NOT?” text to the upper.

Air Jordan 10 OKC Home/Away PE Pack

In 2014, Russ would receive two Air Jordan 10 Retros in OKC Home and Away colors. Both pairs feature orange accents on the nylon lace loops and outsole, blue hits on the leather collar, eyestays, tongue, and sole unit, and a multi-color camo pattern on the sockliner. The only difference between the two is the main color used on the leather paneling, the Home opting for white and the Away opting for black. Unfortunately, the public never got a shot at owning either pair, but that’s not true about another Air Jordan 10 Russell Westbrook PE.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High Westbrook PE

While we didn’t get a chance to buy the aforementioned AJ 10 OKC Home/Away PE Pack, a year after debuting those pairs, Russ and Jordan Brand would drop an Air Jordan 1 Retro High PE. If you walk fast enough in the pair, people may think you’re wearing the Bred AJ 1 High, but upon closer inspection, you can see the “black” panels are a dark teal shade. Plus, the Swoosh on the midfoot is done in black. Final details include a Jumpman on the heel and Westbrook’s logo on the tongue tag.

Jordan Westbrook 0 Line

Years before Russell Westbrook would get his own performance sneaker line, Jordan Brand gave him an off-court lifestyle sneaker line with the Jordan Westbrook 0. The first model debuted in July 2015, using a high-top, almost Chuck Taylor or Nike Blazer-like design language. Two more models would follow, an even higher-cut 0.2 and the low-top 0.3, which looks almost like a Vans knock-off, especially in the Dazzle colorway.

Air Jordan XXXI Why Not?

Another Air Jordan performance model that Russ helped headline, the Air Jordan XXXI, was not well-received at the time and ranks pretty low on our list of the best Air Jordan models, ironically sitting at number 31. Westbrook’s PE featured elephant print details on the collar that morphed into a black and grey gradient on the front half of the shoe. His logo graced the tongue, while OKC-friendly blue and orange hues hid behind the elephant print collar.

Air Jordan 3 Mr. Triple Double PE

Westbrook’s stats from the 2016-17 and 17-18 NBA seasons sound like something you’d cook up on MyPLAYER in NBA 2K. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game in his MVP campaign from 16-17, and again averaged a triple-double in the 17-18 season with 25.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game. To celebrate the historic two-season run, which also included breaking the record for most triple-doubles recorded in a single season, Jordan Brand created the Mr. Triple Double Air Jordan 3 PE.

The pair featured a 3D-glasses-esque color scheme with orange and blue accents on a white leather AJ 3. “WHY NOT” branding is added to the midsole, which contains a white, blue, and orange finish. Final details include the Westbrook logo on the tongue and a subtle white-on-white print of Westbrook’s stats from the 2017-18 season on the leather mudguard. While it was made for Westbrook in 2018, we wouldn’t get detailed images until April 2023.

10-Year Jordan Deal + Why Not Signature Line

With a historic season and MVP win under his belt, Westbrook would have more to celebrate in 2017 when Jordan Brand signed him to a 10-year deal that September. It included his own signature sneaker line, which would debut in 2018. The Why Not Zer0 line would launch six main silhouettes and five takedown models.

Unfortunately, while he’s still a Jordan Brand athlete, Westbrook suffered the same fate as Zion Williamson, and his signature sneaker line was discontinued after his sixth main model. However, even without new Why Not Zer0 models hitting shelves, Jordan Brand dropped the One Take 5, Westbrook’s final sneaker, without much fanfare in 2023 and 2024.

Air Jordan 10 Class of 2006

We mentioned earlier that Russ would eventually drop an Air Jordan 10 PE at retail, and he finally did so in June 2018 with the Class of 2006 colorway. The pair honors his alma mater, Leuzinger High School, using the school's red and blue colors on the accenting details of a mismatched white/black AJ 10.

Why Not Zer0.2 Pokémon PEs

The 30th anniversary celebrations for Pokémon are well underway, and we’ve seen plenty of sneaker brands get in on the birthday party, but Russ was in his Pokémon bag years back. Westbrook would lace up three different pairs of Pokémon Jordan Why Not Zer0.2 PEs during the 2018-2019 NBA season, taking inspiration from Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, and Charizard.

Air Jordan 16 Why Not?/Converse Chuck 70 Pack

During the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan Brand and Converse dropped a $425 two-pack of sneakers designed by Russell Westbrook, which included an Air Jordan 16 and a Chuck 70. Both pairs feature an embroidered chain graphic broken in spots to resemble Russ’ gritty play. Inspiration for the color scheme comes from Westbrook’s rockstar aesthetic, especially his rock and roll-style leather jackets that were a staple in his wardrobe.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com