Damian Lillard Is A GM Now! Portland NBA Star Joins Weber State Men's Basketball
Damian Lillard, nine-time NBA All-Star, returns to Portland Trail Blazers and becomes General Manager of Weber State University's men's basketball program.
Damian Lillard is going back to his roots in more ways than one. The nine-time NBA All-Star, who recently returned to the Portland Trail Blazers, has officially taken on a new role as the general manager of the men's basketball program at his alma mater, Weber State University.
Lillard, 35, made the announcement Saturday night at the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic in Ogden, Utah, where his legacy as a Wildcat began more than a decade ago.
Speaking at Swenson Gym to a crowd of Weber State supporters and alumni, Lillard explained why the opportunity to take on a leadership role in the program meant so much to him.
A legacy continues in Ogden. Wildcat legend Damian Lillard is officially joining Weber State Men's Basketball as the new General Manager.Dame is stepping into a leadership role that will help shape the future of Wildcat hoops.
A new era begins now. #WeberStateGreat #DameTime pic.twitter.com/MV3bVHX6st
— Weber State Men's Basketball (@WeberStateMBB) August 3, 2025
'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, according to 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."
A New Chapter Off the Court
Lillard is expected to miss the entire 2025–26 NBA season as he recovers from a torn left Achilles tendon sustained during the Milwaukee Bucks' playoff run on April 27. He was waived by the Bucks after the season and re-signed with Portland on a reported three-year, $42 million contract.
While sidelined from NBA play, Lillard sees this position at Weber State as a way to stay close to the game while giving back to the community and program that helped launch his career.
From Weber Star to NBA Icon
Drafted sixth overall by Portland in 2012, Lillard went on to become one of the most respected and dynamic point guards in the NBA. His loyalty to both the Blazers and Weber State has remained unwavering.
Lillard's connection to Weber State has only deepened since his playing days. He returned to graduate in 2015, had his No. 1 jersey retired in 2017, and was later inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame in 2021 and the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame in 2022.
(with agency inputs)
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