Nine-Time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook Has a Supportive Brother Ray Whom He Calls His “Role Model”

Russell was the MVP of 2017.

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Former Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, has a brother who is also involved in sports.

The 36-year-old former MVP had been unsigned despite a solid season with the Nuggets, where he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

Russell’s deal with the Sacramento Kings for the 2025–26 season marks his 18th year in the NBA and his seventh different franchise.

Sacramento Kings Point Guard Russell Westbrook Has a Brother Who Is a Football Coach and Former Football Player

Russell Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988, in Long Beach, California, to Russell Westbrook Sr. and Shannon Horton.

A few years later, his younger brother Raynard “Ray” Westbrook was born, completing their small but close-knit family.

The Westbrook brothers were raised in Hawthorne, California, where they grew up in a supportive and disciplined environment.

While Russell found his love on the basketball court, Ray took a different path and pursued football.

He attended the University of Central Oklahoma, where he was a student-athlete and played college football.

Despite choosing different athletic fields, the brothers remained inseparable, often motivating and supporting each other through every stage of their lives.

From a young age, Russell and Ray shared a strong bond built on trust, competition, and mutual respect.

Russell has often mentioned Ray in many of his interviews, expressing how important his brother has been in his personal and professional journey.

After winning the MVP in 2017, Russell even called out his brother in his acceptance speech, saying that Ray is his role model. In the speech, he said;

My little brother, my road dog. You mean so much to me. You are my role model. I look up to you man. I truly look up to you. You are an amazing blessing. I am so happy to have you as my brother. I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world. My brother just got his masters two weeks ago. I am so proud of him. Not just for that, but just the man he is today. Just for helping me, lifting me up every single day. My brother, man, he texts me every single game at halftime. Every game. Since I have been in LA, he texts me every game at halftime. He doesn’t have to do that, man. He does that because he has a kind heart. He looks out for me. I love you from the bottom of my heart, brother. I promise you. I appreciate everything you do for me. Everything. I love you, brother.

While Russell is now rising in the NBA, his brother Raynard currently works as a running back and Assistant Coach at RUHS, where he trains and mentors young football players.

Ray is also involved in multiple media ventures, including Zero World Media and RWE, demonstrating his involvement in media and branding projects.

Both brothers share a strong bond and support one another; they frequently appear in each other’s social media posts, celebrating each other’s victories and achievements.

In Case You Don’t Know

  • Russell Westbrook has the NBA record for the most career triple-doubles with 203.
  • As of late 2025, Russell Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, alongside players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has also received nine selections.
Nishan
Nishan
Nishan Dahal writes sports with a human touch, covering breaking news, athlete lives, and the stories that stats can't tell. Nishan believes every athlete has a story worth telling. With the goal of bringing those stories to life with honesty, heart, and a touch of curiosity, he shares his insights through PlayerBio.

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