Lillard will serve in a general manager role at his alma mater.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard hosts an alumni game at Weber State, his alma mater on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is returning to his alma mater, Weber State, to serve as the general manager, the team announced Saturday night.
Lillard, 35, announced the move while hosting the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic in Ogden, Utah. The 13-year NBA veteran adds his new role just two weeks after agreeing to return to the Trail Blazers on a three-year deal.
“Success doesn’t come overnight, especially in today’s ever-changing basketball landscape,” Lillard said via a Weber State news release. “College athletics is constantly evolving, and building a strong program requires time, trust, and commitment. 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. This opportunity allows me to be even more involved in shaping the future of Weber State basketball.”
Serving as a “key advisor” and “mentor” to the team, Lillard will work closely with the coaching staff and the athletic department’s leadership, according to the news release, to provide “insight, mentorship, and guidance, using his experience at the collegiate and professional levels to elevate the program.”
Lillard’s move to become general manager follows in the footsteps of other NBA players who have stepped into similar roles. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry agreed in March to serve as assistant GM at his alma mater, Davidson, while Hawks guard Trae Young will serve in that same role at Oklahoma. Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal agreed in April to become the general manager at Sacramento State.
Prior to Lillard being drafted sixth by the Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft and later being named the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year, Lillard starred at Weber State. He led the Wildcats to two Big Sky Championships, earning two Big Sky MVP nods, during his four seasons from 2009 to 2012. He had his jersey retired in 2017, was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame in 2022.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.