Can Russell Westbrook be a UCLA icon without being among UCLAs greatest?

Russell Westbrook’s retirement closes the career of one of the most recognizable basketball players UCLA has ever produced.Whether that makes him one of the greatest Bruins is a more complicated question.The 37-year-old announced his retirement Wednesday through a farewell video narrated by Michael B.Jordan, ending an 18-season NBA career defined by historic production and relentless intensity.His rise began much more quietly in Westwood.Westbrook arrived from Leuzinger High School in nearby Lawndale without the national profile attached to many UCLA recruits.

He played sparingly as a freshman, averaging 3.4 points while backing up an established group led by Arron Afflalo and Darren Collison.His sophomore transformation offered the first glimpse of what was coming.Westbrook moved into the starting lineup in 2007-08 and averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds.He led UCLA with 63 steals, earned Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors and helped the Bruins finish 35-4.In his final college appearance, he scored a team-high 22 points in UCLA’s Final Four loss to Derrick Rose and Memphis.Those accomplishments made Westbrook an important Bruin.

They did not make him one of UCLA’s most decorated players.Across two seasons, Westbrook averaged 8.3 points, 2.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds.He never became an All-American, won a national championship or established himself as UCLA’s unquestioned centerpiece.He was, in fact, surrounded by exceptional talent.Kevin Love averaged 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds in 2007-08, while Collison contributed 14.5 points per game.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute supplied defense and experience.All four went on to enjoy lengthy NBA careers.Westbrook was not asked to carry a supporting cast.

For much of his UCLA career, he was part of one.The Bruins went 65-10 and reached consecutive Final Fours during his two seasons, but Westbrook’s college résumé still falls short of those assembled by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Sidn...