Russell Westbrook has directly addressed the report that he asked third-year guard Christian Braun if he could wear his No.0 jersey in Denver.
DNVR Sports reporter Harrison Wind said on X that, “Hunter Tyson will wear #5 this season after giving #4 to Russell Westbrook. There was an inquiry by Westbrook into wearing #0, I’m told, but Christian Braun didn’t budge. Tyson gave Westbrook #4 free of charge.”
The news went viral on social media and Russ has since denied the claim on his Instagram story.
“Let’s please leave our young star alone,” Westbrook wrote. “[Braun] and I never discussed him passing along the number 0. I didn’t want, inquire about, or request the number 0 because I chose to mark this new change with a ‘new’ number.
“The excitement of the new season has already begun, and unfortunately I know that means the offload of many false stories. Not today! [Braun] and I are locked in and ready to get things rockin’ in the mile high city!”
Russ has worn No.0 in 15 of his 16 seasons in the league.
He wore No.4 in his singular season with the Wizards during the 2020-21 season.
Braun wore a No.0 jersey when he played for Blue Valley Northwest in Overland Park, Kansas.
The third-year guard then wore the No. 2 jersey during his three college seasons at Kansas, but switched back to No.0 when he selected by the Nuggets as the 21st overall pick in 2022 NBA Draft.
Braun is expected to become a starter for the Nuggets this upcoming season after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure from the team.
In will be interesting to see how Westbrook fares with the Nuggets, after their star center Nikola Jokic reportedly endorsed the idea of signing for the nine-time All-Star.
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