Damian Lillard is the latest NBA player to take a management role with his alma mater, announcing Saturday that he will become the new general manager for the Weber State men’s basketball program (Twitter video link).
Lillard was on hand for the school’s annual Basketball Alumni Classic, according to Brett Hein of The Ogden Standard-Examiner. After signing autographs for about 90 minutes, he addressed the crowd with the news of his continuing relationship with the university.
“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,” Lillard said. “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.”
Few details of the position were announced, but Lillard’s association should bring prestige to the program, which competes in the Big Sky Conference and is coming off a 12-22 season. WSU issued a press release stating that Lillard “will work 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.”
Lillard is one of the most accomplished players in Wildcats history, twice earning conference Player of the Year honors before declaring for the draft in 2012. He had 1,934 points and left school as the second-leading scorer in Weber State history and No. 5 all-time in the Big Sky Conference.
“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,” Lillard added. “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.”
The new arrangement with Weber State continues an eventful offseason for Lillard, who had his contract waived and stretched by Milwaukee after suffering a torn Achilles in the playoffs. He wound up returning to the Trail Blazers on a three-year deal.
Stephen Curry started the trend of active players helping to run college basketball programs in March when he became an assistant GM at Davidson. Since then, Trae Young (Oklahoma), Terance Mann (Florida State) and Patty Mills (Hawai’i) have accepted similar positions.
1) the fact that colleges now have a GM is disheartening 2) how is this not a conflict of interest and distraction from his contract with the Trail Blazers?
Did you miss the part where healthy Trae Young is the GM of Oklahoma
No.. I read the part about “assistant” though.. which is probably a gloried “consultant” that makes a phone call or two for recruiting… Lillard is taking the full gig
How many paychecks does this guy need? Happy he’s doing what he likes but man…
Dame is as generous a person as you’ll find. I guarantee you he’s not putting any of this money in his pocket. He’s either doing it gratis or passing on the money to the less fortunate.
NBA players are no different then regular people. The zeros are just different. So the life style you live now is not the life style you will live when you’re retired. He only has 5 years left and then he will never make the money he makes now. He got divorced, so that hit him plus he is paying child support and alimony so he is squeezing all the juice out the lemonade.
This should be a lesson to all money does not buy happiness and take care of your bread. Life is full of ups and downs. So one moment you’re balling and the next you could be mc Hammer broke. So enjoy the now but invest for the future!!
Lillard will never be broke.
Never said he will be broke. I said I. 5 years he will never make the money he is making now so his life style will change. Unless you are a billionaire (and you have to have multiple business to be one) your life style will change. There is not current NBA player that during retirement can live the same life style as now. And no not even LeBron I’m he is not a real billionaire. If he was he wouldn’t be playing for 50 million this season. Billionaire don’t pay taxes. They life off tax free money not adding 50 million in w2 reported income. I would play for a championship but I understand why dame went for the money because of the divorce.
There is a lot of assumption in this post. Where are the facts where are the sources? Nope just one persons wild takes
Is this a paid gig? I know Patty and Steph aren’t getting a dime. Yet Patty is fully involved in day to day operations, post NBA. Curry not so much as yet. For now apparently Dame is getting paid for this role. But, it’s early days and some fine print could be missing.
Trae apparently is on the payroll for Oklahoma, yet donating $1m straight up to the program. Seems he’s more likely investing or donating in said program. Possibly Dame is doing the same.