Damian Lillard is staying true to his roots this offseason. Less than two weeks after the team he spent his first 11 NBA seasons with officially welcomed him home with an introductory press conference, Lillard announced he's going to take over as the general manager of his college alma mater.
The Portland Trail Blazers star broke the news Saturday in Ogden, Utah, where he hosted the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic for the sixth time.
"It's something that, my relationship with coach [Eric] Duft and this program means a lot to me, and seeing the success of the program means a lot to me," Lillard said at the event, per the Standard-Examiner.
"I feel like I can do a lot to help the program be successful, to help the players even individually continue to grow their careers past college, that's something that I'm passionate about."
Lillard played for Weber State from 2008-12. During his senior season, he averaged 24.5 points per game while shooting 44.6% from the field, including 40.9% from 3. in the process, he won Big Sky Player of the Year for the second time and became a third-team All-American.
The Blazers selected him No. 6 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard immediately made an impact, collecting NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2013. He's a nine-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA 3-Point Contest champion, and he has five top-10 MVP finishes.
Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers after the Milwaukee Bucks waived him at the start of free agency.
Lillard, 35, is still owed $113 million from the Bucks, whom he wasn’t able to win a championship with in his two seasons in Milwaukee.
Lillard ruptured his left Achilles in Game 4 of the team's first-round series against the Indiana Pacers.
Lillard isn’t expected to play during the 2025-26 season. He’ll likely serve as a quasi-assistant coach for the Blazers while he recovers.
But now he has another non-playing role.
In a news release, Weber State said Lillard “will work closely with the coaching staff and athletic department leadership to provide insight, mentorship, and guidance, using his experience at the collegiate and professional levels to elevate the program.”
In 2015, Lillard finished his degree at Weber State. His No. 1 jersey was retired two years later. Four years after that, in 2021, he was inducted into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
“College athletics is constantly evolving, and building a strong program requires time, trust, and commitment," Lillard said in that same news release.
"I believe in what this program represents and the culture that continues to grow at Weber State. The support of our community is vital to the program’s success, and I am committed to playing a greater role in that effort.
He added: "This opportunity allows me to be even more involved in shaping the future of Weber State basketball.”
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