NBA Star Russell Westbrook Co-Founds End-of-Life Planning Startup

Following the deeply personal loss of both his parents, Donnell Beverly Jr. turned to his longtime friend, nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook, to help launch Eazewell, an AI-powered platform designed to simplify end-of-life planning. The startup, which also counts former NBA star Kemba Walker as a co-founder, aims to alleviate the significant administrative burden families face during a time of grief.

Beverly Jr. explained that the core mission resonated perfectly with Westbrook’s approach to business. “The central question for Russ in any venture is always about how we can positively impact people,” he stated. The idea for Eazewell was born from Beverly Jr.’s own difficult experience, which revealed just how fragmented and overwhelming the process can be for grieving families.

Eazewell functions as a comprehensive digital resource, available around the clock. Its AI agent assists users with a wide array of tasks, from locating and booking a funeral home to the difficult process of closing a loved one’s credit card accounts. By partnering with various service providers, including hospice care centers, funeral homes, and insurance companies, the platform remains free for basic use, with optional premium features available for purchase.

Westbrook’s involvement is deeply personal. He had the chance to support Beverly Jr. through his family’s loss, witnessing firsthand the challenges that inspired the platform. “He did a fantastic job conceptualizing this idea and making it a reality,” Westbrook remarked. “I’m thrilled to partner with him on this journey.”

The recent acceleration in artificial intelligence technology presented a clear opportunity. Beverly Jr. noted that while AI is transforming our daily lives, its potential to assist us after death is a new frontier. “We recognized that this technology could dramatically reduce the number of administrative duties that fall on families,” he added.

Since its founding in 2024, Eazewell reports it has already provided assistance to more than 100,000 families. The company is now expanding its services with a new enterprise platform tailored for hospice providers, senior living facilities, and life insurance companies. This allows these organizations to integrate Eazewell’s automation tools directly into their own operational software.

Looking ahead, the startup has its sights set on another modern challenge: managing digital legacies. “The average individual actively uses between 70 and 100 digital accounts,” Beverly Jr. pointed out. “Families are now inheriting these digital assets, which is a completely new kind of responsibility. We see a tremendous opportunity to make this entire aspect seamless as well.”

For Westbrook, Eazewell represents the ideal convergence of business and purpose. It allows him to collaborate with a close friend while leveraging his public platform to support a venture that provides genuine help, particularly for underserved communities navigating a costly and painful experience. “Whenever I attach my name to something, my goal is to open doors and build trust,” Westbrook said. “This isn’t about technical expertise; it’s about helping families through a loss. Using my platform to make that happen was an obvious choice.”

(Source: TechCrunch)