Russell Westbrook is reflecting on life as a father of three.
Speaking on a panel at the fifth Annual Black Love Highest point on Saturday, the 34-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star said that he’s “generally glad” of the bond he has with his children.
“I would probably say being a father, I’ve been honored and so grateful,” said Westbrook, noting the best part of his day is the “6:00 a.m. wake-up with my children.”
“That to me is what I’m generally glad for. And taking them to school, picking them up, that to me keeps me entire and it pushes me along,” added the NBA star, who is dad to twin daughters Jordyn and Skye, 3, and son Noah, 5. Reflecting on how things have changed from the beginning of his career in 2008 to the current day, Westbrook said that “consistently is changing,” and celebrated spouse Nina for “her constant sacrifice.”
“I really do think that it ought to be acknowledged and you ought to be pleased with that. Just to sacrifice and through all these years, of such countless various changes, and a great deal of the changes honestly have been based around me and my career and what I’ve been doing,” he shared.
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“She’s been holding s- – t down from start to finish, and presently had the option to see her develop into the things that she’s been wanting to do while as yet supporting me and doing stuff with the children, and doing this and doing that,” he added of his better half. “I’m only grateful to have a partner able to do all that sacrifice. Presently we’re here.”
In a 2018 YouTube video, Westbrook proclaimed “being a dad is more important to me than anything else.”
“Family is always the main thing for me, regardless of what I do,” he said at the time, soon after announcing his twins were on the way.
“It’s important that Noah knows I’m his dad first and not a basketball player or anything else that I do,” continued Westbrook.
“That’s the main part to me — to make sure that being a father, husband and a family man is a higher priority than anything else.”