Westbrook Receives Oklahoma Standard Award
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum honored the former Thunder guard at its Day One Luncheon, which raises money for its programming and mission.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Awards
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The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum presented Russell Westbrook with its Oklahoma Standard Award for embodying the ideals of service, honor and kindness. The Oklahoma City Thunder also announced it will retire Westbrook's jersey during a special game on Feb. 7.
Why it matters
The award ties Westbrook's legacy with the city's commemoration of the April 19, 1995 bombing and its emphasis on community values. The jersey retirement honors his years with the franchise in Oklahoma City.
The award was presented at the Day One Luncheon, which raises money for the memorial's programming and mission. The Thunder's jersey retirement is set for a special game on Feb. 7, with the year not specified in the source.
The players
Russell Westbrook
Former Oklahoma City Thunder point guard whose jersey the team will retire, and who has been closely associated with the franchise's identity in the city.
Sam Presti
Executive vice president and general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who introduced Westbrook and announced the jersey retirement.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Institution commemorating the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that presents the Oklahoma Standard Award and hosts the annual Day One Luncheon.
The details
Sam Presti, the Thunder's executive vice president and general manager, introduced Westbrook at the luncheon, telling three stories about his commitment and bravery, each ending with a short response from Westbrook. Westbrook then spoke with Chris Fleming, chair of the memorial's foundation, in a packed room at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Timeline
April 19, 1995: Oklahoma City bombing commemorated by the memorial.
August 2008: Thunder began taking new players and staff through the memorial.
2016: Kevin Durant left the Thunder, prompting Westbrook's 'What's next?' response.
Feb. 7: Thunder to retire Westbrook's jersey during a special game.
Culture Shift
The award applies the Oklahoma Standard, the civic ethos of service, honor and kindness that emerged after the 1995 bombing, to a professional athlete. It extends a community value system into sports recognition in a city where the Thunder has become a central civic institution.
Oklahoma City residents can expect the jersey retirement ceremony to draw attention to the Thunder's history with Westbrook on a scheduled game date. The memorial's Day One Luncheon fundraising supports its ongoing programming for the public.
The takeaway
Recognition tied to civic values can link an individual's career to the community's shared commitments. Readers interested in the memorial's work can consider how institutions like it sustain public remembrance.
What happens next
The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook's jersey during a special game on Feb. 7.
Further reading
Explore more recognition stories in our Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal Record.
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