Most NBA superstars leave their mid-major college roots in the rearview mirror the second the ink dries on that first multi-million dollar contract. It's just how the business works. You move to the big city, you buy the mansion, and maybe you send a signed jersey back once a decade. But honestly, that isn't the story with Weber State Damian Lillard.
If you walk around Ogden, Utah, today, you'll realize pretty quickly that Lillard isn't just a famous alum. He’s basically the unofficial patron saint of the city. We're talking about a guy who, despite being an Olympic gold medalist and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, still calls himself a "Wildcat for life" and actually means it.
The Recruitment Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s go back to 2008. Damian Lillard wasn't some five-star recruit with ESPN cameras following him around Oakland. He was a skinny kid from St. Joseph Notre Dame High School who most big programs completely overlooked.
Enter Randy Rahe. The longtime Weber State head coach saw something that the Pac-12 missed. He saw a kid with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Wasatch Front. When Lillard arrived in Ogden, he wasn't looking for a stepping stone. He was looking for a home.
In his freshman year, he didn't just play; he took over. He was the first true freshman in Big Sky history to be named to the All-Conference First Team. Think about that for a second. In a league full of 22-year-old men, a teenager from Oakland was already the best player on the floor.
By the Numbers: The Wildcat Years
- Career Points: 1,934 (Ranked 2nd in school history when he left).
- Scoring Average: He put up 24.5 points per game in his final season.
- The Snub Response: After a foot injury sidelined him in 2010, he came back with a vengeance, leading the nation in scoring for most of the 2011-12 season.
- The Legacy: Two-time Big Sky MVP and the first player in conference history to be named an AP All-American.
Why 2012 Changed Everything for Mid-Majors
Before 2012, if you played at a school like Weber State, people assumed you’d be a second-round pick at best. Then Lillard happened.
I remember the night of the 2012 NBA Draft. There were nearly 1,500 people packed into "The Junction" in downtown Ogden just to watch a TV screen. When the Portland Trail Blazers took him at No. 6, it wasn't just a win for Damian. It was a massive middle finger to every scout who says you have to go to Duke or Kentucky to be elite.
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He became the highest draft pick in the history of the Big Sky Conference (well, second highest if you go way back to Michael Ray Richardson in '78, but the modern era belongs to Dame).
The Graduation and the "GM" Move
Most people know Lillard won Rookie of the Year. They know about "Dame Time" and the series-ending shots. But what most people get wrong is thinking he finished with Weber State when he walked across that draft stage.
In 2015, three years into a massive NBA career, Lillard did something unheard of. He came back to Ogden. Not for a parade, but for a cap and gown. He finished his degree in professional sales because he promised his mother he would.
Fast forward to late 2025 and early 2026. The relationship has evolved into something even more formal. Lillard was recently named the General Manager of the Weber State men’s basketball program.
It sounds like a ceremonial title, but if you know Dame, you know he doesn't do "ceremonial." He’s acting as a mentor, an advisor to Coach Eric Duft, and a bridge for recruitment. In an era of NIL deals and the transfer portal, having an NBA legend in your corner gives a small school like Weber State a weapon no one else has.
The Loyalty Factor: More Than Just a Jersey
In 2017, the school retired his No. 1 jersey. It was a heavy night. The Dee Events Center was vibrating. But the coolest part wasn't the banner; it was the fact that Lillard spent the night coaching the alumni game and hanging out with guys who played at Weber in the 70s.
He treats the equipment managers and the walk-ons the same way he treats his NBA teammates. That’s the "Ogden" in him.
"I’m so loyal to this program and this city," Lillard said during his jersey retirement. "I’m thankful for the people who would turn the lights on for me in the middle of the night so I could shoot."
That’s not PR talk. That’s a guy who remembers exactly where he started.
Recent Impact and Awards
- The Compass Award: Recently, the Ogden City Council gave him the inaugural Compass Award for his service to the community.
- All-Star Homage: Remember when he won the NBA 3-Point Contest in 2023? He did it wearing a purple Weber State jersey. He could have worn Blazers gear or Bucks gear, but he chose the Wildcats.
- Mentorship: He’s been a massive influence on recent WSU stars like Joel Bolomboy and Dillon Jones, proving that the "Weber to the League" pipeline is real.
What This Means for the Future of the Big Sky
The "Damian Lillard effect" is a real thing in recruiting. When a coach sits in a living room in Oakland or Chicago and says, "We can get you to the league from here," they aren't lying. They have the receipts.
Weber State has stayed competitive in a rapidly changing college basketball world largely because of the culture Lillard helped cement. It’s a culture of being an underdog, working in the dark, and staying loyal to those who gave you a chance.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a sports world where everything feels temporary, the bond between the Milwaukee Bucks star and a mid-sized university in Northern Utah is the exception to every rule.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Athletes:
- Watch the Tape: If you’re a guard, go back and watch Lillard’s 41-point performance against San Jose State from his junior year. It’s a masterclass in pace and pick-and-roll efficiency.
- Visit the Dee: If you’re ever in Utah, go to a game at the Dee Events Center. The "Lillard Corner" and the retired jersey are must-sees for any basketball purist.
- Support the Program: With Lillard now in a GM role, the program is looking for increased community engagement. Keep an eye on the "Alumni Classic" events, which Dame usually attends or helps organize.
- Study the "Mid-Major" Path: Use Lillard’s career as a blueprint. It proves that development and playing time often beat sitting on the bench at a "Power 5" school.