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UCLA Alum Russell Westbrook Makes 'Significant' Donation For New Basketball Facility

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — One of the NBA's most stylish - and dominant - players is ready to help his alma mater add some more style of its own.

Four-time NBA All-Star and former Bruin standout Russell Westbrook made what UCLA described as a "significant" donation toward the construction of a planned basketball training facility, according to university officials.

As a result of the donation, the men's basketball practice court will be named in honor of Westbrook, who played two years at UCLA and took the Bruins to the NCAA Final Four in 2007 and 2008.

Although the amount was not released, it marks the largest donation by a former basketball player in the university's history, according to UCLA officials.

"While his `Why Not?' Foundation's mission is to inspire the lives of children and teach them to never give up, the fact of the matter is, having witnessed firsthand and from afar his growth over the years, Russell himself is an inspiration," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero.

Westbrook, who is in his eighth NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, said he was "honored to be part of the legacy that
is Bruin basketball."

"I loved my time at UCLA and jumped at the opportunity to give back to the university that provided me with amazing opportunities and great memories," Westbrook said.

He will be honored at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 7, when the Bruins play host to the Arizona Wildcats.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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