'A Special Moment'

 

WSU VolunteersIt took more than 50 years for Weber State men’s basketball to retire its first number in 2015. It took only five years for WSU to give Damian Lillard BS ’15 the same honor after his departure for the NBA draft in 2012.

After five NBA seasons, a Rookie of the Year award, two All-Star Game appearances, a music label and countless endorsement deals, it’s easy to see why Lillard has earned the right to have his No. 1 jersey immortalized in the Dee Events Center rafters.

Weber State made it official in August, as the Wildcats hosted their second annual Alumni Classic. Lillard — who helped organize the event — was honored during halftime in front of several thousand fans and more than two dozen WSU hoops greats. He spoke fondly of his memories at Weber State, a time in which he led the Wildcats to two Big Sky titles, earned two conference MVP awards and was named to the 2012 All-America team.

Lillard returned to WSU in 2015 to fulfill his dream of graduating, collected his degree in professional sales and gave a surprise speech during commencement exercises. Lillard is the third Wildcat to have his jersey retired in the Dee Events Center. He joins men’s basketball legends Willie Sojourner and Bruce Collins.