If you’re scrolling through eBay or some back-alley jersey site and spot a Russell Westbrook SuperSonics jersey, your first instinct is probably to call "fake." It looks like a glitch in the Matrix. Why would one of the most iconic Oklahoma City Thunder players have a jersey for a team that hasn't existed since the George W. Bush administration?
Well, here is the thing: Russell Westbrook was actually a member of the Seattle SuperSonics.
It wasn't a long tenure. Honestly, it was barely a week. But in that strange, six-day window in the summer of 2008, the "Brodie" was technically a Sonics rookie. While most of the world associates him with the loud blues and oranges of OKC, there’s a small, weirdly dedicated group of jersey collectors who hunt for that green and gold #4 or #0.
But does a "real" game-worn version even exist? Let's get into the weeds of NBA history because the truth is a bit more complicated than just a custom jersey order.
The 6-Day SuperSonic
The date was June 26, 2008. The NBA Draft was held at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden. David Stern walked up to the podium and announced that with the 4th overall pick, the Seattle SuperSonics selected Russell Westbrook from UCLA.
He walked onto that stage, shook Stern’s hand, and put on a green and yellow Sonics hat. There are photos of it. They aren't photoshopped. He’s standing there with a smile, holding up a jersey that says "SONICS" across the chest with a big number 4 on it.
Wait. Number 4?
Yeah, that’s where the trivia gets deep. Westbrook wore #0 at UCLA because Arron Afflalo already had #4. When he got drafted by Seattle, he was handed a #4 jersey for the photo op. But then the legal drama hit the fan.
At the exact same time Russ was being drafted, the city of Seattle was in a heated courtroom battle with the team's ownership group. The owners wanted to move to Oklahoma City; the city wanted them to stay until their lease was up in 2010. On July 2, 2008—exactly six days after the draft—a settlement was reached. The team was moving. Just like that, the Seattle SuperSonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Why You Won't Find a Game-Worn Russell Westbrook SuperSonics Jersey
If you’re looking to drop thousands of dollars on a jersey Russ actually played in while representing Seattle, I’ve got bad news for you.
It doesn't exist.
Russ never played a single second of NBA basketball in a Seattle uniform. Not even a Summer League game. By the time the 2008 Summer League rolled around in Orlando, the franchise had already technically shifted. He was signed to his rookie contract on July 5, 2008, by which point the "Thunder" identity was already the plan, even if the logos weren't fully unveiled yet.
Because of this, any Russell Westbrook SuperSonics jersey you see for sale today falls into one of three categories:
- The Draft Day Sample: This is the Holy Grail. It’s the jersey he held up on stage. It was a blank promotional jersey used for the photo op. These rarely, if ever, hit the public market.
- The "What If" Custom: Most of the jerseys you see on eBay or Reddit are custom-made "Swingman" style jerseys. People take a blank throwback Sonics jersey and have "Westbrook 0" or "Westbrook 4" stitched onto the back.
- The Retail Rarity: Some manufacturers, like Mitchell & Ness, have occasionally produced "What If" editions or "Draft Day" legacy jerseys. These are officially licensed but are technically "recreations" of something that never officially saw the court.
The Number Mystery: 0 vs. 4
There’s a bit of a debate among fans about which number is "correct" for a Westbrook Sonics jersey.
If you want to be historically accurate to the draft night photos, you’d go with #4. That was the jersey he held up at the podium. However, Russ never actually wore #4 in the NBA until 2023 when he joined the Clippers and later the Nuggets.
In Oklahoma City, he went back to #0. He couldn't take #4 because Nick Collison—a Sonics legend who moved with the team—was already wearing it. Most collectors who buy custom Sonics jerseys choose #0 because it’s the number Russ is most famous for. It’s a total "alternate reality" piece of memorabilia.
Why This Jersey Still Matters to Fans
You might wonder why anyone cares about a jersey for a team a player never actually suited up for. It’s about the "What If."
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Seattle fans are still, understandably, pretty salty about the team leaving. For them, Westbrook represents the "Lost Dynasty." Imagine a world where Kevin Durant (who actually played a full season in Seattle) and Russell Westbrook stayed in the Pacific Northwest.
That green and gold jersey is a symbol of a timeline that was stolen. It’s a piece of basketball subculture. Wearing one to a game is a signal that you aren't just a casual fan; you know the lore. You know about the six days in 2008 when the NBA's most explosive point guard belonged to the Emerald City.
How to Get Your Hands on One
If you're looking to add a russell westbrook supersonics jersey to your collection, you’ve got to be careful. Since there are no official "game" versions, you're looking for high-quality replicas.
- Check the Stitching: A lot of cheap knockoffs use heat-pressed vinyl that peels off after three washes. If you’re going for the "vintage" look, look for tackle-twill stitching.
- The Branding: Nike didn't have the NBA jersey contract in 2008; it was Adidas. A "period-accurate" replica would technically be an Adidas brand jersey, though most modern customs use Nike or Mitchell & Ness blanks.
- The Patch: Some high-end customs include the "Sonics 40th Anniversary" patch which was used during the 2007-08 season. While Russ wasn't on that team, it adds a bit of "era-appropriate" flair.
At the end of the day, owning this jersey is a conversation starter. It’s a weird, niche corner of sports history that reminds us how quickly things can change in the NBA. One week you’re the future of Seattle; the next, you’re the face of a brand-new franchise in the Midwest.
If you're hunting for one, stick to reputable custom shops or verified resellers on sites like Grailed or high-rated eBay sellers to ensure you're getting a jersey that doesn't look like a cheap pajama top. It might not be a "real" piece of court history, but in the world of basketball fashion, it's a certified classic.
Next Steps for Collectors:
Verify the seller's feedback specifically for "stitched" versus "printed" items before buying. If you want the most authentic "draft look," search specifically for the green "Away" jersey with the number 4, as that matches the Madison Square Garden press photos from June 26, 2008.