“Russell Westbrook dead 2026” : Basketball player killed by internet death hoax

News of basketball player Russell Westbrook’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 37-year-old basketball player is alive and well.

UPDATE 23/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Russell Westbrook death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the basketball player’s alleged demise gained traction on Saturday after a ‘R.I.P. Russell Westbrook’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American basketball player’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Saturday (March 21, 2026), our beloved basketball player Russell Westbrook passed away. Russell Westbrook was born on November 12, 1988 in Long Beach. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 37-year-old basketball player was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a basketball player of Russell Westbrook's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (56%) of respondents think those Russell Westbrook death rumors are not funny anymore.

Russell Westbrook Death Hoax Dismissed Since Basketball player Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Sunday (March 22) the basketball player's reps officially confirmed that Russell Westbrook is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved basketball player. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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