Russell Westbrook is having an exceptional season on the court. His 27.7 points, 8.7 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game are scary good. His 11 triple-doubles are the fourth-most in the last 20 seasons. He is one of only three players with seven 30+ point triple-doubles in a season. The other two men are Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan.
But Westbrook is also having an outbreak season off the court. In a Sports Illustrated feature last week, the MVP candidate was quick to point out his desire for the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. "It's been one of my main goals all season. I want it," Westbrook told SI's Lee Jenkins.
Westbrook's Why Not? Foundation has build three reading rooms at Oklahoma City area elementary schools this season.
Westbrook showed his giving colors again on Monday in OKC. The guard, who is making $15,719,062 this season, received a brand-new Kia for winning the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award in February in New York City. Rather than put another car in his garage, Westbrook decided to give the vehicle to a fan in need.
Kerstin Gonzalez is a 19-year-old single mother of two boys. She had her first son at age 14. On Monday morning, Gonzalez was getting her day started at Sunbeam Family Services. While waiting for her appointment, Westbrook surprised her with the keys.
Gonzalez broke down in tears, while Westbrook hung around her two sons. Gonzalez is hoping to graduate high school this year and apply to college to study forensic science. She also does not need to worry about a new job, as she has the keys to a new Kia.
“It’s just all the hard work that she’s done to be able to keep her family together,” Westbrook said in a Thunder press release. “When you see somebody working hard towards a goal and finding ways every day to keep everything afloat for her two boys and her family, you can’t do anything but help them out.”
In terms of the Thunder's schedule, Westbrook has five games to grind out the final spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. The guard has willed the Thunder to a half-game lead for eighth place in the standings without 2013-14 NBA MVP Kevin Durant, due to injury, for most of the season.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
