Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opens up about relationship with Russell Westbrook: 'A-plus human'

When you hold the keys to a franchise, only a couple of other people can relate to you. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has come to learn that over the years. His improbable ascension into a two-time MVP winner and one-time NBA champion has boosted the Oklahoma City Thunder to potential NBA dynasty talks.

Another person who was eerily familiar in his sneakers? Russell Westbrook. The 2010s era-defining NBA superstar anchored OKC's franchise for over a decade. He spent his first 11 seasons on the Thunder. That coincided with his best years.

After Westbrook announced his NBA retirement this past August, Gilgeous-Alexander congratulated the future Hall-of-Famer on a legendary career. The Thunder are cooking up plans to honor the basketball pantheon. With

a No. 0 jersey retirement purely an inevitability.

Gilgeous-Alexander went into detail about Westbrook's time in OKC and what he means to the Thunder. Sure, their paths never crossed — both were part of separate franchise-altering trades in July 2019 — but they're tied to the hip because of their all-time status in blue-and-orange lore. They're universally viewed as the two best and greatest players in franchise history.

"We started off with the same agents, so that's where the relationship first built. He's honestly just a great human being," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Despite what people have said about him in the past and stuff like that. Russ is amazing. He's always been a phone call away if I need something."

Westbrook being there for Gilgeous-Alexander is pure Thunder fan fiction. I mean, you can't draw things up better than that. Most view those two as the participants in the passing of the torch. Even if Gilgeous-Alexander has usurped Westbrook in the all-time rankings, that doesn't diminish what Westbrook accomplished in his time in OKC as its first beloved NBA superstar.

Even though the Thunder are the youngest NBA franchise — at least, if you consider their starting point being their 2008 relocation — they have seen their fair share of basketball deities spend part of their prime there. Gilgeous-Alexander, Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Paul George. The list goes on and on. To see the top two of that golden list form a friendship is the type of generational synergy every pro-sports team strives for.

"He's an A-plus human, an A-plus basketball player. It doesn't get better than Russ," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "He's my guy. Had a great career. Sad to see him go, though."

SGA on his relationship with Russell Westbrook: “He’s honestly just a great human being, despite what people have said about him in the past. Russ is amazing. He’s always a phone call away.” pic.twitter.com/oX0r8J3BLm

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opens up about relationship with Russell Westbrook: 'A-plus human'