Russell Westbrook in New Professional Venture as NBA Star Joins Project to Help Inner-City Youth Give Back to the Community

LOS Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook is starting a new professional venture to give back to his community.

Westbrook joined Little Kitchen Academy as an investor and advisory board member in the NBA offseason.

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Little Kitchen Academy is a cooking academy that provides life skills and healthy eating habits to the community.

The foundation aims to promote a more educated, independent and healthy society.

Westbrook is partnering with his Why Not? Foundation, which he founded in 2012, with Little Kitchen Academy to “create pathways to empowerment for undeserving children.”

Westbrook will work to further empower children through culinary education and other opportunities.

“Our family loves Little Kitchen Academy. Nina and I took our kids there and saw firsthand the impact their programs had on them,” Westbrook said.

“That’s why I want to help provide access to your amazing programs to kids who wouldn’t otherwise have access.

“I’m excited to join the advisory board and partner with your team. Their programs combine culinary education with practical life skills while promoting creativity, curiosity and independence, preparing them for success in the kitchen and beyond.”

CEO and co-founder of Little Kitchen Academy, Brian Curin, shared how excited he is to have Westbrook on board.

“We are very excited to have Russell Westbrook join our Little Kitchen Academy family as an investor and advisory board member,” he said.

“We are in awe of his inspiring dedication to empowering young people, together with his wife Nina.

“Together, our families will continue to change lives from the ground up, impacting thousands of children by providing access to practical life skills and food literacy, creating a more educated, independent and healthier society.”

Westbrook is entering the latter stages of his career, playing his second season with the Clippers and his 16th season overall.

He played in 68 games this year, starting 11 of them, and averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Westbrook is a former MVP, two-time scoring champion, three-time assists champion and nine-time All Star and All-NBA.

At 35 years old, Westbrook likely won’t have much time in the league and may not be with the Clippers next year.

He has a player option on his contract that could allow him to become a free agent this offseason.

Westbrook would only make about $4 million in the 2024-25 season and could seek a bigger contract with a new team.

He has played for five different teams, Thunder, Rockets, Lakers, Wizards and Clippers.

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