Russell Westbrook’s Sixth WPT Charity Poker Night Raises Nearly $1 Million for Why Not? Foundation

Russell Westbrook hosted his sixth-annual charity poker event in Las Vegas, raising nearly $1 million for the Why Not? Foundation in partnership with the World Poker Tour. This result lifts the six-year fundraising total from the events to almost $3 million.

The gathering drew poker professionals and athletes to Fontainebleau’s members-only Poodle Room. Among those present were WPT ambassadors Phil Ivey and Vince Van Patten, 2025 WSOP Main Event champion Michael Mizrachi, and NBA players DeAndre Jordan and Harrison Barnes.

Tournament Action and Results

The event carried a $10,000 entry fee that included a one-night hotel stay at the Fontainebleau resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Westbrook moved all in with top pair on the flop against reality TV star Princess Love, who held top two pair that stood up through the river. Michail Grigorev won the tournament over a final table that included Princess Love and Randall Emmett. Ivey, Mizrachi, and Westbrook did not reach the final table.

As reported by PokerNews, the night’s main purpose remained raising funds rather than crowning a winner.

Westbrook’s Career and Foundation Goals

The recently retired NBA guard played 18 seasons across seven teams, averaging 20.9 points per game. He led the league in scoring twice, won the 2016-2017 Most Valuable Player award with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and earned more than $350 million in his basketball career.

The Why Not? Foundation uses the proceeds to inspire young people, teach them to ask themselves “Why Not?”, and help them build resilience to never give up. The annual poker night has become a consistent platform for that mission.

Reporting: PokerNews

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