Damian Lillard is returning to college.
As a general manager.
The Portland Trail Blazers point guard announced this weekend that he will be taking over as the GM of his former college team, the Weber State Wildcats, becoming the latest prominent professional athlete to step into a player-personnel role at his alma mater.
Lillard made the announcement at Swenson Gym during the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic, which he hosted on campus in Ogden, Utah.
“I’ve been able to be around a lot of things, and I’ve learned a lot,” Lillard told reporters afterward. “I think I come back this time just with a better understanding, just knowing a lot of ways I can assist the program, assist the players, assist Coach (Eric) Duft now that I’ve had these experiences. It was good timing for that (and) another way for me to kind of stamp myself in there as a resource to the program.”
In a release announcing the move, Weber State said Lillard will be working “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.”
Before the Trail Blazers selected Lillard with the No. 6 pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, he was a star at unheralded Weber State, earning two Big Sky Conference MVP awards and All-American honors while leading the Wildcats to two Big Sky championships.
Five years after his departure, the school retired Lillard’s No. 1 jersey, and he went on to be inducted into the Weber State Athletics Hall of Fame and the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame.
“From his days as a Wildcat to his success as a professional, Damian Lillard has remained deeply connected to Weber State, leaving an enduring mark on our university,” Weber State athletic director Tim Crompton said in a release. “This new role allows him to contribute his vision and experience in a more formal way, further elevating our program. His support provides Coach Duft and the program a tremendous advantage as we continue building for the future. Damian’s dedication to Weber State is stronger than ever, further cementing his lasting impact on our community.”
Lillard, 35, has blossomed into one of the best players in the NBA since his departure from Weber State, earning nine All-Star berths and eight all-NBA selections in 13 seasons.
His first 11 seasons came in Portland and, after a two-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, he re-signed with the Blazers last month. Lillard is rehabbing from a left Achilles tendon tear, however, and is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
The general manager role in college sports is relatively new, but it’s becoming more and more popular since in the advent of name, image and likeness. It’s unclear how hands-on Lillard will be at Weber State, but he almost surely will play a role in roster building, fundraising and recruiting.
He joins the likes of Andrew Luck (Stanford football) and Stephen Curry (Davidson men’s and women’s basketball) to join their alma maters in a similar role. Also, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal notably became GM of the Sacramento State men’s basketball team, which his son, Shaqir, plays on.
“Success doesn’t come overnight, especially in today’s ever-changing basketball landscape,” Lillard said in a 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.”
— Joe Freeman | jfreeman@oregonian.com | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | @freemanjoe.bsky.social
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