Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook is opening a middle school and high school to assist children in his native Los Angeles.
The schools are the product of a partnership between his Why Not? Foundation and local nonprofit LA Promise Fund, and the campus for grades six through 12 will be called the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy.
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“Creating and supporting educational opportunities for underserved youth has always been my passion and now it is coming to life,” Westbrook posted to social media on Wednesday night as he announced the schools. “This is just the beginning.”
I am excited to announce my @WhyNotFdn is partnering with @LAPromiseFund to launch the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy. Creating & supporting educational opportunities for underserved youth has always been my passion & now it is coming to life…this is just the beginning pic.twitter.com/w5ERsDqbSW
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) February 24, 2021
The location of the schools and the opening date were not announced, but the website of the LA Promise Fund lays out an ambitious mission to deliver a “world-class education … while simultaneously developing academic achievers, athletes and activists committed to social change.”
They will be public charter schools authorized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the organization said.
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Westbrook, 32, grew up in South Central Los Angeles and played two seasons at UCLA. A nine-time All-Star, he was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2016-17.
He will become the second NBA star to open a school. LeBron James of the Lakers launched the I Promise School in his native Akron, Ohio, in 2018.
–Field Level Media