Russell and Nina met in college at UCLA and then began dating. For them, their connection included their love for the court. In 2020, Nina told Access Hollywood, "The beginning of our relationship was really fun." She jokingly added, "I had to stop playing him because he became a cheater." That is at basketball. 

Nina helped Russell launch his Why Not? Foundation that serves at-risk kids and deserving communities. 

After six years of dating, the then Oklahoma City player popped the big question to Nina. 

On August 29, 2015, the happy couple tied the knot in an intimate, outdoor ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel attended by Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, and Serge Ibaka, along with James Harden. Russell donned a tuxedo by Tom Ford, while Nina copped two dresses for her big day, the first by Vera Wang and the second by Monique Lhuillier. The newly minted husband and wife enjoyed their first dance to Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo's "Nothing Even Matters," as reported by PEOPLE.

They welcomed their first child, Noah Russell Westbrook, on May 16, 2017. The proud mom made the announcement in a post on Instagram that featured an adorable black and white photo of their baby's feet. Russell also shared the same image with X (formerly Twitter), and that their new bundle of joy weighed 7 lbs., five oz., and was 20 inches long.

After a couple of years in the books as husband and wife, Nina penned a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to Russell in honor of their second anniversary.

"Happiest 2 Years of my life! You make me laugh, and you are always lifting me up in your prayers. You make me proud, and you help me to grow. With you it's all about us, and I couldn't have married a better man. Life with you gets better every single day, and marrying you remains the best decision I've ever made. Happy Anniversary Suga! ♥️I love you ♥️," she captioned the post.

On November 17, 2018, the parents welcomed twin girls, Skye and Jordyn. Mom shared news of their daughter's arrival on Instagram in a sweet photo of the infants wearing bracelets featuring their names. "Mommies girls are here and healthy," she captioned the post.

In June, the fashionable twosome hit the streets of France for Paris Fashion Week.

In 2021, they opened the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy in South Los Angeles to "empower and help students" in grades 6 through 12 with resources "to set them up for success beyond the classroom," Russell told PEOPLE in a statement. 

During a press conference in March 2022, the nine-time NBA All-Star addressed the concerning behavior projected by fans onto his wife. "I stand behind my wife with how she's feeling... it's reached a point where it's really weighing on my family."  

He added, "When it comes to basketball, I don't mind the criticism of missing and making shots. But the moment it becomes where my name is getting shamed, it becomes an issue." However, he came to a breaking point during a discussion with his son's teacher. 

"But it really kind of hit me the other day. Me and my wife were at a teacher-parent conference for my son. And the teacher told me, 'Noah, he's so proud of his last name,'" he explained. "He writes it everywhere. He writes it on everything. He tells everybody and walks around and says, 'I'm Westbrook, I'm Westbrook,' that's his last name. And I kind of sat there in shock, and it hit me, like, 'Damn. I can no longer allow people [to call me 'Westbrick'].' "

In November, the duo participated in a panel discussion hosted by Black Love in which Russell praised his wife for her "constant sacrifice."

"She's been holding s--t down from start to finish, and now been able to see her grow into the things that she's been wanting to do while still supporting me and doing stuff with the kids, and doing this and doing that," he added of his wife during the discussion. "I'm just grateful to have a partner able to do all that sacrifice. Now we're here."

The pair had a fun date night out in March while attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. The couple rocked complementing suits by Thom Browne.

In May, they appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show to discuss their Why Not? Foundation, Russel's prized shoe collection, and the "shy and reserved" misconception Nina believes people have about her as a licensed marriage and family therapist. But for her, "If you get me in a right setting, then everything comes alive. I'm the one that starts the party on the dance floor, and finishes the party on the dance floor.

On May 30, the cool parents had a fun outing with their son, Noah, for the premiere of Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse in Los Angeles.