Former OKC Thunder darling Russell Westbrook only just announced his retirement on Wednesday, and he is already being pursued by various organizations.
The latest might come as a shock to many, and Westbrook himself might have to double-take, followed by a bit of a laugh.
It took Ice Cube, the co-founder of the BIG3, all of 24 hours before he began discussing the prospects of recruiting Russ. He claimed he was planning on waiting a week before doing so, according to the Pat McAfee Show.
The BIG3 is a professional 3-on-3 basketball league that is in its 10th year of existence. Though it began as sort of a novelty item, it has grown since then, expanding to eight different major locations throughout the U.S. Despite being a clear lesser to the NBA, the league still boasts its share of recognizable names. Joe Johnson, Paul Millsap, and Michael Beasley are a few of the biggest.
Russell Westbrook might not have time on his hands for side quests
Right off the bat, the idea of Russell Westbrook immediately joining a league for washed-up NBA veterans following retirement seems far-fetched at best. Not to mention Westbrook has already begun to spread his roots into the business world.
The fan favorite, along with Oklahoma's beloved Baker Mayfield and current Thunder stud Jalen Williams, is an investor in OKC's new multipurpose stadium, which is set to play host to a new soccer team, OKC United, as of 2028.
Given his self-proclaimed billionaire aspirations, it appears that Russell Westbrook will be hard-pressed to find enough time to maintain his elite basketball form.
Ice Cube will hardly be the last suitor of former Thunder superstar
While Ice Cube's recruitment is clearly unrealistic, he will hardly be the last suitor to come knocking. Whether it's basketball or business, Westbrook has put himself in rare company. The future Hall-of-Famer has positioned himself for a fruitful life after sports. Whether that life involves basketball-related opportunities or ventures elsewhere remains to be seen. The BIG3, however, is certainly a step or two below what Russ might be looking for at this point.
Still, it's a testament to what he has accomplished, both as an athlete and a person. He has become a well-versed individual who is respected by every one of his peers, which is something not every athlete can say.
Thunder fans surely look forward to following the former MVP as he embarks on the next chapter of his life. What he will pursue next is anybody's guess.
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