After his season was ended by injury, star Damian Lillard did not stay away from basketball, but returned to his alma mater with a new identity.

On August 3, the nine-time NBA All-Star announced that he would serve as the general manager of the Weber State University basketball program, officially starting his college basketball management career.

"The relationship I have with coach Eric Duft and this organization means the world to me," Lillard said during the homecoming game at his alma mater in Ogden, Utah.

"I'm very proud to see my alma mater succeed. I believe I can help the team develop and even each player's future career planning, which is something I'm very passionate about."

As General Manager, Lillard will work closely with the coaching staff and the athletic department, providing strategic advice, developmental direction, and career planning. He hopes to leverage his experience in college and the NBA to help Weber State return to its former glory.

Lillard played for Weber State University from 2008 to 2012 and was a two-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Year. In 2012, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth pick in the first round.

In April of this year, Lillard suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon while representing the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers. He is currently in the recovery stage and is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season. Last season, he averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game for the team.

During this period, Lillard also returned to his old team Portland Trail Blazers and signed a new three-year contract worth $42 million.

Despite his temporary absence from the court, Lillard's influence in the basketball field continues to expand. Now he has returned to campus as the general manager, and has also paved a new path for his life after retirement.