Latest news with #WeberStateGreat
NBC Sports
03-08-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Damian Lillard takes on role of general manager for his alma mater Weber State basketball
Damian Lillard has followed in the footsteps of Stephen Curry (Davidson), Trae Young (Oklahoma), Patty Mills (Hawaii) and Terance Mann (Florida State). Lillard has become the general manager of his alma mater, the Weber State men's basketball program. 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 While these GM roles for NBA players are often more ceremonial — the star can help with recruiting, swing by some practices and stay in touch with players, has valuable experience, but is not the one making decisions on NIL money or anything on the court — Lillard is hoping to do a little more, part of which is boosting the NIL resources for the program. Here's what he said at Weber State's annual basketball alumni game, according to Isaac Fisher of The Ogden Standard-Examiner (hat tip Hoop Rumors). '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. 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... 'All of the resources that I have, I've got an opportunity to be able to create for the program, while they're in the program and even after the program, it's something I'm excited about. I'm looking forward to doing that work, looking forward to continue to lift up the university, lift up the program. It's going to be fun.' Weber State went 12-22 last season, but has had 20+ wins in two of the past four seasons. It's been a decade since the Wildcats advanced out of the Big Sky to the NCAA Tournament. Lillard was surprisingly waived-and-stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, then signed to return home to the Portland Trail Blazers. He will spend the coming season rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered during last season's playoffs. Lillard will spend time this season mentoring the Trail Blazers' young stars such as Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara and Yang Hansen. Now, it will have a new group to help mentor in Utah, as well.
News18
03-08-2025
- Business
- News18
Damian Lillard Is A GM Now! Portland NBA Star Joins Weber State Men's Basketball
Last Updated: 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 is stepping into a leadership role that will help shape the future of Wildcat hoops. A new era begins now. #WeberStateGreat #DameTime — 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) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
