UCLA Basketball: Russell Westbrook Returns to Campus for Rico Hines Runs

The former Bruin returns to his old stomping grounds.

Former UCLA Bruin Russell Westbrook returned to the school's campus this week to get some work in with Rico Hines during his NBA player scrimmages.

Russell Westbrook and Monty Williams outside on #UCLA's campus after today's Rico Hines NBA player scrimmages. Inside, Monty was as nice as he appears, gave me a nice handshake when I told him I was a fan since his New Orleans Hornets days with Chris Paul. pic.twitter.com/ieMV2XbuPJ

— Gavin Carlson (@GavinCarlson_) August 17, 2023

Rico Hines is an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers, following head coach Nick Nurse from the Toronto Raptors earlier this offseason.

Rico Hines is also a UCLA Bruin alumni as he played four years for the team from 1997-2002. Hines played 101 games for the Bruins starting 27 of them and averaging 2.2 points per game.

Hines builds special relationships with NBA players and Bruins basketball players. He uses the UCLA court often during the summer to help train many players.

Westbrook was seen on campus coming from one of those scrimmages as he looks to improve from last year where he saw himself being traded across town from the Lakers to the Clippers. 

Now with the Clippers, he looks to team up with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac.

Westbrook spent two amazing years with the Bruins in 2007 and 2008 where both years the team finished in the Final Four with a record of 30-6 and 35-4 in each season respectively. In both years the Bruins ended 1st in the Pac-10.

Westbrook really exploded in his second year for the Bruins where he started 34 games for the team averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 assists. His performance that year ended with him being drafted 4th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics. One pick later was his Bruins teammate Kevin Love.

Westbrook may be looking to get some youthful energy back as he prepares for his first full season with the Clippers.