In a noteworthy shift for the Denver Nuggets, Russell Westbrook will transition away from the No. 0 jersey, a number that has been synonymous with his dynamic presence on the court. Instead, Westbrook is set to return to his roots, donning the No. 4 jersey, marking the second time in his illustrious career that he will sport this number.
This change comes as Westbrook navigates his new basketball home. Initially traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Utah Jazz, a subsequent buyout allowed him to enter free agency and ultimately sign with the Nuggets. However, his decision to switch jerseys was driven by more than just availability.
"Let's please leave our young star alone. CB and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I did want to inquire about or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a 'new' number," Westbrook clarified, emphasizing that the switch was a personal decision rather than a result of any negotiation with Christian Braun, who currently wears No. 0 for the Nuggets.
Westbrook’s journey with the No. 4 jersey is deeply personal and steeped in nostalgia. He wore this number during his high school days, a period that clearly holds significant sentimental value for him. "Four is my favorite number. It reminds me and it gives me a sense of my roots and where I started from and where I get it from," Westbrook reflected, pointing to a desire to reconnect with his past as he embarks on a new chapter in Denver.
The No. 4 jersey has a storied history in Westbrook’s professional career as well. During his time in Oklahoma City, the jersey belonged to Nick Collison, and prior to that, Arron Afflalo owned it during their overlapping tenure at UCLA. Later, in Houston, Danuel House was the holder of the No. 4 jersey. “When I got to Oklahoma, even at UCLA, I got there, Arron Afflalo had it at UCLA. Then I got to Oklahoma City, Nick Collison had it. Then when I got to Houston, Danuel House had it. So I didn't have an opportunity to kind of go back to my original number," Westbrook elaborated.
The move to No. 4 was facilitated by rookie Hunter Tyson, who originally had the number. Tyson, selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, had appeared in just 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging under three minutes per game. Tyson agreed to switch to No. 5, allowing Westbrook to reclaim a number that holds significant value to him.
Interestingly, Christian Braun, now donning No. 0 for the Nuggets, also wore this number during his high school years. This coincidence adds another layer of narrative to the jersey chronicles within the Denver team.
Westbrook's return to the No. 4 jersey represents a full-circle moment in a career filled with numerous milestones and accolades. "Obviously I could have stayed with zero if I wanted to, but I just decided to [pick four]. It's kind of my first time in my career I can go back to my original number," Westbrook stated, underscoring the significance of this personal milestone.
As Westbrook prepares for the upcoming season with the Nuggets, this change symbolizes a fresh start while also honoring his journey from high school hopeful to NBA superstar. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this symbolic shift translates on the court.