October 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, United States; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

October 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, United States; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) within the second quarter in opposition to the Phoenix Suns at Ball Area. Necessary Credit score: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Photos

Like a rock band touring throughout the nation, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder turned a family identify within the 2010s. They often visited the nationwide stage as title contenders. It helps that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are basketball supernovas for the small-market franchise to have some international recognition.

As Durant and Westbrook enter the twilight levels of their careers, it should not be stunning to see so many younger gamers coming into the league as followers. In spite of everything, most individuals below the age of 25 most likely grew up watching the Thunder wrestle of their deep playoff run. The newest era of NBA gamers grew up with the Thunder as a substitute of the Seattle SuperSonics.

A type of gamers is Westbrook’s teammate Trey Alexander. The 21-year-old went undrafted final June after spending three school seasons at Creighton. He signed a bilateral settlement with the Denver Nuggets. That meant the previous OKC resident might be teammates with somebody he seemingly idolized rising up.

Throughout the Nuggets’ Monday observe, Alexander accompanied Westbrook to conduct his media availability. The previous MVP joked that he would take the undrafted rookie below his wing for media coaching.

“I grew up watching Russ in OKC,” Alexander mentioned. “We’ve a photograph at this time. He had the glasses with out the frames. I used to be 9 years previous.”

It is a fairly cool callback between Westbrook and Alexander. It simply goes to indicate that nobody actually is aware of the place life will take anybody. For Alexander, he hopes to carve out a task in Denver in a title contender that desperately wants depth. Maybe he can finally assist lead the second unit with Westbrook.

This text was initially revealed on OKC Thunder Wire: Nuggets teammate remembers rising up as a fan of Russell Westbrook and the Thunder

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