Latest news with #Westbrook
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Westbrook Juneteenth celebration honors Black history and inclusivity
Jun. 19—Before reading his official mayoral proclamation for the holiday event, Westbrook Mayor David Morse looked out at the crowd of about 200 people gathered for the city's annual Juneteenth celebration at Riverbank Park. "Here we are in the fourth year, and it's bigger and better than ever," Morse said. "And it tells me we're a community that cares and knows that Black lives matter." Spearheaded by the Intercultural Community Center in collaboration with the city of Westbrook and the Westbrook School Department, the Juneteenth celebration aims to entertain and inform in equal measures. "We're hoping we can let people know that Black history is important, that Juneteenth is an important part of Black history and that our role as Northeasterners and Mainers is to help spread that story," said Kai Mawougbe, emcee of the event and adult programs supervisor for the Intercultural Community Center. The community group One Westbrook had been the chief organizer for the city's past Juneteenth celebrations. This is the first year the Intercultural Community Center has led the effort. "As an organization that specifically serves new Mainers and a huge portion of African immigrants, we really want to connect that side of African American history and enslavement to the story and the discrimination that new Mainers are facing and show a lot of solidarity in that," Mawougbe said. "We're one united community." "Just the acknowledgement is the important piece," said Westbrook resident Ryan Munro, who attended the event with his four kids, noting that the crowd seemed larger this year than last. "It's really about making sure that people recognize this is an actual holiday, and that we're supporting the entire community, which is something Westbrook has done a great job of." A federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth commemorates when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to enforce the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Texas, 900 days after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. "It's a day that holds profound significance, not only for Black Americans, but for all Americans who value truth, resilience and justice," Lisa Jones, founder of Black Travel Maine and one of the event's featured speakers, told the crowd gathered around the park's gazebo. "We are not commemorating the end of slavery, we are recommitting to the ongoing work of liberation. We are reclaiming our stories." Jones explained that her company curates tours and travel experiences that shine light on the state's lesser known history, "honoring the legacy of Black Mainers who contributed to the fabric of this state and this country ... people whose stories deserve to be told. Because when we know our full history, we become stewards of the present. We make better choices. We avoid repeating the injustices of the past. And we pave a path forward that's inclusive, intentional and just." Maya Williams, former poet laureate of Portland, read several of her poems to the crowd, including "A Conversation with Grief," which ends with the lines, "Death doesn't discriminate, but the living who force it upon marginalized people do. The living who force it upon my people do. What is a pilgrimage but for those who seek safe haven with their dead?" Veeva Banga, of Portland, a native of South Sudan, performed an Afro Beats dance to conclude the event's official programming. "It's important to remember our history, and this is a great way to remember," Banga said. "It's very empowering to me to see the city of Westbrook and people in Maine to be so excited to have us regularly remember and honor that history," Mawougbe said. "One of the things I love most about Maine is to see how community oriented people are and how willing people are to be accepting of others. It shows how invested the city of Westbrook is in really making sure that it's an inclusive place." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
EuroLeague Team Denies Interest in Russell Westbrook
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NBA offseason is shaping up to be one that many will remember for years to come. The 2019 offseason was one for the books, as it involved a significant amount of player movement that has somewhat shaped the league as it is today. More NBA news: Russell Westbrook Could Receive Unprecedented Offer From EuroLeague Team: Report The 2025 offseason could have a similar impact, shaping the league's landscape for the next half-decade or so. Many superstars will be at the forefront of the summer, including former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. Westbrook declined his player option for the 2025-26 season with the Denver Nuggets and will be an unrestricted free agent in a few weeks. His market is unclear, but one thing that is clear: EuroLeague powerhouse Hapoel Tel Aviv is not interested in the nine-time All-Star. Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena on April 2, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets stands on the court before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Ball Arena on April 2, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Photo byInitial reports suggest that Hapoel Tel Aviv was set to offer Westbrook a historic contract, but the team announced that there was never any interest in signing Westbrook. "To be serious – it's not true. There was no interest, and no one approached him." Hapoel Tel Aviv says they have zero interest in Russell Westbrook 'To be serious – it's not true. There was no interest, and no one approached him.' (h/t @TalkBasket ) — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2025 The Israeli club is coming off a EuroCup title, and initial reports suggested that they would be interested in acquiring Westbrook. Westbrook has a $3.4 million player option for next season, and after a strong showing this past year. The 36-year-old quietly put together a productive season with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc across 75 games. While he's no longer the explosive MVP force he once was in Oklahoma City, Westbrook still finds ways to impact the team's winning efforts. His effort, energy, and ability to shift momentum in spurts were evident during his time in Denver, and it wouldn't be surprising if another team offers him a meaningful role. The former UCLA standout just wrapped up his 17th NBA season and has now appeared in 1,237 career games. The nine-time All-NBA guard could gain a ton of traction amongst NBA teams as free agency approaches. More NBA news: Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Addresses Trade Speculation Amid NBA Finals Dell Curry Drops Major Update on Steph Curry's NBA Future Kevin Durant Was Reportedly Interested in Joining Celtics at Deadline Lakers' LeBron James Provides Crucial Update on Knee Injury Caitlin Clark Talks Shooting Contest With LeBron James and Steph Curry For more Russell Westbrook and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans React to Nuggets Star Russell Westbrook's Major Free Agency Decision
Fans React to Nuggets Star Russell Westbrook's Major Free Agency Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former nine-time All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, most recently a reserve with the Denver Nuggets, has made a decision when it comes to his potential free agency this season. Advertisement The 6-foot-4 UCLA product remains shockingly athletic, even at the relatively advanced age of 36. He may no longer be in MVP conversations, but the now-well-traveled veteran guard proved to be a critical-if-erratic contributor to Denver during the banged-up club's run to a seven-game Western Conference semifinals playoff series loss against the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook's first team, this spring. Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) moves the ball up court against the A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Westbrook inked a two-year deal to leave his hometown L.A. Clippers and join the Nuggets during the 2024 offseason. He had a $3.5 million player option on his contract for 2025-26. By June 29, Westbrook needed to decide whether or not he would pick it up or decline and enter free agency. Now, sources inform Marc Stein of Substack that the 2017 MVP has decided how to proceed with regards to that option. Advertisement Per Stein, Westbrook will decline the option and enter unrestricted free agency yet again this summer. As he's aged out of his prime, the former superstar has often been criticized for his ball stopping and late-game decision making. Still, as a reserve eating up minutes on a good team (provided he's not playing at the ends of close contests), Westbrook could be a useful asset to a contender as an end-of-rotation bench guard. Is he angling for maximal money, say something in the range of a bi-annual exception (estimated to be worth around $5.1 million next year, per Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors)? Does Westbrook prefer long-term security, even if it's a multi-year veteran's minimum deal? Or is his priority trying to achieve his first championship? Advertisement Time will tell. Now, fans are reacting to Stein's report. X user @KevonLooneyMuse joked, "He should go to the Lakers. Would be a great fit," a seeming wink to Westbrook's unhappy year and a half with Los Angeles' other NBA franchise from 2021-23. "His world tour continues," observed @DatHandsomeJerk. Westbrook has played for six franchises across his past seven NBA seasons. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Russell Westbrook Contract Decision Has Massive Salary Implications for Nuggets
Russell Westbrook Contract Decision Has Massive Salary Implications for Nuggets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets' core roster is already slated to look a bit different in 2025-26, and the 2024-25 NBA offseason hasn't even officially begun just yet. Advertisement Denver majority owner Josh Kroenke shockingly fired both 10-year head coach Michael Malone and championship general manager Calvin Booth with just days remaining in the Nuggets' regular season, replacing them with interim head coach David Adelman and interim GM Ben Tazer. While Adelman has shaken the interim sticker and will serve as the Nuggets' long-term head coaching option, Tazer's status is more tenuous, even with the 2025 NBA Draft and free agency now just weeks away. The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 50-32 record and pushed the NBA Finals-bound Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in their second round playoff encounter. Denver was severely hampered by that seventh semifinal contest, with starting forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon striving to play through major injuries. Apr 9, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) directs his team against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Adelman's rotations were fairly limited, and he had to lean on erratic or unproven bench players to add a spark. Eventually, the Nuggets' luck ran out. Advertisement One of those bench pieces appears to be ready to move on. Former nine-time All-Star and 2017 league MVP Russell Westbrook will reportedly decline his $3.47 million player option for next year and instead explore unrestricted free agency, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (via Substack). Westbrook, 36, had until June 29 to make a decision on the second year of the two-season deal he had agreed to with Denver last summer. The 6-foot-4 UCLA alum is now slated to join potentially his seventh NBA franchise across the last eight seasons. Still, there's a chance Westbrook could stick around. Advertisement He averaged solid numbers off the bench for Denver, while staying healthy throughout the regular season and playoffs. Across 75 available regular season bouts, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points on a .449/.323/.661 slash line, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 swipes. In reduced playing time, those numbers shrank a bit during the postseason. He averaged 11.7 points on inefficient shooting splits of .391/.317/.700, along with 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists (against 2.3 turnovers), and 0.9 steals. The biggest issues with Westbrook are his inclination to hold the ball for too long (especially on a team with elite creators like three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray), his inconsistent off-ball effort, his poor jump-shooting, and his disengaged defense. He may have some value as an eighth man, especially in the regular season, but giving him significant playoff minutes at this stage is risky. Bobby Marks of ESPN unpacks how Denver's cap situation benefits from Westbrook's reported decision. The Nuggets are understandably desperate to help Jokic win his second title with the franchise after two disappointing second round playoff exits. Denver thankfully now has some breathing room below the NBA's harshly punitive second luxury tax apron, with 12 players currently signed. Advertisement The team can now use its $5.7 taxpayer mid-level exception, a mechanism that would have been unavailable to Denver as a second apron team, and two veteran minimum slots to add new talent around its core of Jokic, Murray and Gordon. Key swingman Christian Braun is still on his rookie-scale contract at present, but will become extension-eligible this summer, and could fetch a major raise. But the Nuggets can worry about what a likely-pricey Braun deal kicking in for 2025-26 will do to their payroll later. For now, the team should focus on affordable help for Jokic, and perhaps sniff around possible Porter trade packages. Related: Fans React to Nuggets Star Russell Westbrook's Major Free Agency Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
7 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Russell Westbrook won't exercise $3.5M option for next season with Nuggets
Russell Westbrook will not be exercising his $3.5 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for next season and will instead become a free agent, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The decision doesn't necessarily mean that Westbrook won't be back with the Nuggets, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither side revealed the decision publicly. NBA reporter Marc Stein first reported Westbrook's decision, which was later confirmed by ESPN and The Denver Post, among others. Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Nuggets this season — his 17th in the NBA — and helped Denver reach the second round of the playoffs, falling in seven games to eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City. He underwent surgery after the season to repair multiple ligament tears in his right hand, an issue he played through during the season. At that time, Westbrook posted in his newsletter that he was "grateful for everyone's support all year and I can't wait to be back out there at 100 percent soon. The comeback is already in motion." That would indicate that he is planning to play somewhere next season. Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection and won the MVP award after the 2016-17 season. He's also part of the NBA's 75th anniversary team and has averaged 21.2 points and eight assists per game over his career. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Basketball Association Denver Nuggets recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
