More than 100 young basketball players from across the San Gabriel Valley turned out at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Friday, July 31, for a free youth basketball camp run by Russell Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation, with Westbrook leading the training at the park.
The Altadena session ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., and was the second that Westbook held over two days. The first was held Thursday, July 30, at the Russell Westbrook Community Court at Jesse Owens Park in South Los Angeles.
The Altadena camp was free for every participant and open to boys and girls ages 7 to 14. The foundation described the 2026 sessions as its 13th annual summer camp and part of a broader effort that has welcomed more than 1,000 young people over the years.
Westbrook said his goal is to reach young people consistently.
“Just to inspire and impact people,” he said. “Kids being our youth, [are] our future. And I think it’s important to be able to do that consistently. So that continues to motivate me.”
Westbrook said his parents were his strongest influence growing up, and that they “always taught me to be able to give back, to show the way and to lead.”
In materials issued for the 2026 camp, the foundation tied its return to Loma Alta Park to continuing rebuilding efforts for Altadena families, saying the camp was intended to offer joy, structure and a sense of belonging during the community’s long-term recovery.
The camp was billed as a two-day skills and character-building program with Westbrook coaching at both sessions, the foundation said. Planned activities included basketball fundamentals such as dribbling, shooting and conditioning, along with organized scrimmages, tournament play and station work led by coaches and volunteers.
Each child was to receive Jordan Brand gear and camp apparel, with lunch provided on-site, awards recognizing effort, improvement and heart, and instruction centered on confidence, hustle and teamwork, the foundation said. The programming was described as “centered on joy, confidence, and belonging,” with an emphasis on ensuring that every camper participated and felt included.
The foundation
The Why Not? Foundation was founded in 2012 to expand opportunities for young people across Greater Los Angeles.
Amelia Williamson, founder of the philanthropic advising firm AWA Consults and former president of the Magic Johnson Foundation, said the foundation’s work follows Westbrook’s career.
“We focus a lot in South L.A., but also we’ll follow where Russell goes,” she said. “So we’ve done work in Denver, we’ve done work in Sacramento. We’ve done work in D.C., Oklahoma. We continue to do work. So we really make sure that the nonprofit work lives within all of his business ventures, all of his NBA work, what’s all related.”
Williamson said the foundation also raises funds and works to stay responsive to community needs.
“We have our focus areas, but community engagement allows us to serve the broader community,” she said.
Information about the organization is posted at https://whynotfoundation.org.
The foundation said the camp is one part of a portfolio of youth programs in Greater Los Angeles that also includes Westbrook Academy and reading rooms promoting literacy and academic support, along with mental health and wellness programs and pathways into higher education and careers. The foundation has framed the initiatives as an effort to “create pathways of opportunity, spark self-belief, and build community” for young people from historically underserved neighborhoods.
Westbrook career in the NBA is storied. He was drafted fourth overall in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who relocated and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. A point guard who has also played combo guard and wing minutes, he has won an MVP award, earned two First-Team All-NBA selections and been a two-time scoring champion.
He has played for the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings. As of the 2025-26 season, he was a guard for the Kings, wearing No. 18.
He finished the 2025–26 season sidelined by a right toe injury and is now a free agent going into the 2026–27 season.
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