Lillard's All-Star weekend: A shot at three-peat and community heartbeat!
Alona Yadav | Feb 20, 2025, 18:43 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Damian Lillard's ninth NBA All-Star appearance holds special meaning as he returns to the Bay Area. He aims to join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges by winning the three-point contest three times consecutively. Lillard also launched a scholarship for East Bay high school students, highlighting his commitment to giving back to his community.
Damian Lillard's ninth NBA All-Star appearance carries special significance as the Milwaukee Bucks guard returns to his roots in the Bay Area for this weekend's festivities in San Francisco.
"It's real cool," Lillard told CNN Sports' Andy Scholes, reflecting on his journey from spectator to star. "I remember as a kid, (in) 2000, coming to All-Star weekend with my dad and my brother and a couple of my cousins, having that experience."
The homecoming offers Lillard a rare opportunity to make basketball history. The 34-year-old guard has a chance to join NBA legend Larry Bird and two-time champion Craig Hodges as the only players to win the three-point contest three consecutive times.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to do it," Lillard said of the potential three-peat. "Just to join that company, but to be able to do it here I feel like that's a storybook opportunity. To be able to be on that list of people, to threepeat in such a great competition and to do it at home is perfect."
Beyond the competition, Lillard is using the occasion to create lasting impact in his community. The reigning All-Star Game MVP has established the Damian Lillard Scholarship in partnership with Portland State University, designed specifically for students from East Bay high schools.
"It was extremely important to me because I've talked about for years coming back home and finding a way to have a true impact, you know, to touch the youth and give them an opportunity to secure a better future for themselves," Lillard explained.
Drawing from his own experience leaving California to attend Weber State, Lillard emphasized the transformative potential of studying out of state. "Being a kid from here... that left California to go to school and had an out of state experience and knowing how much I grew from that, I'm happy to provide that same type of opportunity for these kids and put them in a better position than they would be in if I didn't do it."
Lillard will compete in the three-point contest on February 15 before participating in the All-Star Game the following day.
"It's real cool," Lillard told CNN Sports' Andy Scholes, reflecting on his journey from spectator to star. "I remember as a kid, (in) 2000, coming to All-Star weekend with my dad and my brother and a couple of my cousins, having that experience."
The homecoming offers Lillard a rare opportunity to make basketball history. The 34-year-old guard has a chance to join NBA legend Larry Bird and two-time champion Craig Hodges as the only players to win the three-point contest three consecutive times.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to do it," Lillard said of the potential three-peat. "Just to join that company, but to be able to do it here I feel like that's a storybook opportunity. To be able to be on that list of people, to threepeat in such a great competition and to do it at home is perfect."
Beyond the competition, Lillard is using the occasion to create lasting impact in his community. The reigning All-Star Game MVP has established the Damian Lillard Scholarship in partnership with Portland State University, designed specifically for students from East Bay high schools.
"It was extremely important to me because I've talked about for years coming back home and finding a way to have a true impact, you know, to touch the youth and give them an opportunity to secure a better future for themselves," Lillard explained.
Drawing from his own experience leaving California to attend Weber State, Lillard emphasized the transformative potential of studying out of state. "Being a kid from here... that left California to go to school and had an out of state experience and knowing how much I grew from that, I'm happy to provide that same type of opportunity for these kids and put them in a better position than they would be in if I didn't do it."
Lillard will compete in the three-point contest on February 15 before participating in the All-Star Game the following day.