Damian Lillard Takes on New Role in College Basketball
The renowned NBA player, Damian Lillard, returns to the university setting, but this time from a leadership position. Lillard has been named general manager of the Weber State University basketball team, where he shone in his early days. The announcement was made on Saturday night in Ogden, Utah, during the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic event, organized by Lillard himself.Lillard expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to the program’s success and the development of the players, seeking to boost their careers beyond the university stage. The role of general manager has gained relevance in college basketball and football in recent years, in a context of changes in the college sports landscape, including the transfer portal and NIL policies. Lillard, who was twice Big Sky Conference MVP during his three seasons at Weber State, before leaving the team in 2011-12, is the latest prominent name to take on this type of role. He is the program’s only All-American and ranks fourth in career scoring and third in three-pointers in Weber State history. According to the university, Lillard “will work closely with the coaching staff and the leadership of the athletic department to provide information, mentoring, and guidance, using his experience at the collegiate and professional levels to elevate the program”. Lillard, a nine-time NBA All-Star, recently renewed his contract with the Trail Blazers after being released by the Milwaukee Bucks. Currently, at 35 years old, he is in the process of rehabilitating a left Achilles tendon injury suffered in April and is unlikely to play in the 2025-26 season.“My relationship with coach Eric Duft and this program is very important to me, and seeing the success of the program means a lot to me,” Lillard stated at the event.
Damian Lillard
