Who Is Russell Westbrook’s Wife? Inside Nina Westbrook’s Life, Career, and Family

NBA star Russell Westbrook may be known for his explosive playing style and MVP accolades, but off the court, his most important role is that of husband and father. The Los Angeles Clippers guard has been married to his college sweetheart, Nina Westbrook, since 2015, and the two share three children together.

Nina, a former college basketball player turned licensed therapist and entrepreneur, has built a life dedicated to family, mental health advocacy, and empowering women. Their love story began on the campus of UCLA and has grown into one of the most enduring relationships in the NBA spotlight.

From College Sweethearts to Life Partners

Nina Westbrook, born Nina Earl on January 16, 1989, grew up in Southern California with three brothers. She excelled in both basketball and track during high school before accepting an athletic scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she played as a forward for the Bruins women’s basketball team.

It was at UCLA where she met Russell Westbrook, then a rising star on the men’s basketball team. The two started dating in 2007 and bonded over their shared love of competition. Nina once joked that she stopped playing basketball against Russell because he “became a cheater” when she kept winning.

After six years together, Russell proposed in 2014. They tied the knot on August 29, 2015, in a star-studded ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel attended by NBA stars Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and Kevin Love. James Harden even brought Khloé Kardashian as his date. Their first dance was to Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo’s “Nothing Even Matters,” with a surprise performance by Grammy-winning singer Miguel.

Nina Westbrook’s Career: From Psychology to Business and Advocacy

Beyond being known as Russell Westbrook’s wife, Nina has carved out a successful career of her own. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in English from UCLA before completing a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Today, she is a licensed marriage and family therapist, passionate about mental health and wellness.

Her career path shifted as Russell’s NBA journey took them across multiple states. Practicing therapy traditionally became challenging, so Nina pivoted into entrepreneurship. She opened a boutique called The Little Ark and launched Minibrook, a children’s clothing line, in 2020. She also founded Bene by Nina, an online platform offering mental health workshops and self-care resources for women.

“I decided to shift gears and took that as an opportunity to explore other interests,” she told Darling Magazine in 2020. Nina frequently uses her platform to advocate for women’s mental health, particularly women of color, emphasizing the importance of self-care practices such as exercise and journaling.

Family Life and Parenthood

Russell and Nina welcomed their first child, Noah Russell Westbrook, on May 16, 2017. In November 2018, they became parents to twin daughters, Skye and Jordyn. Nina has spoken candidly about her second pregnancy, revealing that it was high-risk and came with complications during delivery.

“It pains me to know that a woman dies from pregnancy-related causes every 12 hours, and that 60% of those deaths are preventable,” she wrote on Instagram in 2021, highlighting the importance of maternal healthcare.

Russell has called fatherhood the thing he is “most proud of,” and Nina has praised his hands-on approach as a parent. Together, they balance demanding careers with raising three children while making time for philanthropy.

The Couple’s Philanthropy and Public Life

In 2012, Russell and Nina launched the Why Not? Foundation, a nonprofit focused on empowering underserved youth and communities. They have provided technology to students during the pandemic and, in 2021, opened the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in Los Angeles to support students’ long-term success.

Despite public criticism during Russell’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Nina has been vocal in defending her husband. In 2022, she shared that she and her family had received harassment and death threats, calling out the toxic side of fan culture. “When I’m being harassed on a daily basis over basketball games, it’s hard for me to get on board with that,” she wrote on social media.

Now with the Los Angeles Clippers, Russell continues to shine on the court while he and Nina frequently make red-carpet appearances together. Most recently, they attended the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in coordinated Thom Browne outfits, showcasing their shared love for fashion and style.

Russell and Nina Westbrook’s journey — from college athletes to partners, parents, and philanthropists — shows that their bond is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep commitment to family and community.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is Russell Westbrook’s wife?

Russell Westbrook’s wife is Nina Westbrook (née Earl), a former UCLA basketball player, licensed therapist, and entrepreneur.

Q2: How did Russell and Nina Westbrook meet?

They met while both attending UCLA, where Russell played for the men’s basketball team and Nina was a forward on the women’s team.

Q3: How many children do Russell and Nina Westbrook have?

The couple has three children: son Noah and twin daughters Skye and Jordyn.

Q4: What does Nina Westbrook do?

Nina is a licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of Bene by Nina, and creator of the children’s clothing line Minibrook.

Q5: When did Russell and Nina get married?

They got married on August 29, 2015, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in an outdoor ceremony attended by friends and NBA stars.