Westbrook was born in Long Beach, California, to Russell Westbrook Jr. and Shannon Horton. He has a younger brother named Raynard.[6] Growing up in Hawthorne,[7][8][9] Westbrook and his best friend Khelcey Barrs III had hopes of going to UCLA and playing together.[10] In May 2004, Barrs died from an enlarged heart during a pick-up game.[11][12]