Since he was a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, he has had several great seasons, but has yet to win a scoring title. This season, he is averaging 21.1 points, 5.1 assists, 5.1 steals, and 5.1 boards per game. Moneys one of the good ones, Watkins said. WebDamian Lillard spent his sophomore year of high school at St Joseph Notre Dame High School, a private school in Alameda, California. You dont play hard, you dont practice hard. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Instagram: In what may come as a surprise to many, NBA superstar Damian Lillard did not attend a big-time college basketball program. July 15, Coming out of high school, however, he was only a 3-star recruit. We just didnt execute down the stretch, Watkins said. A teammate launched an errant 3-point shot, ending Oaklands season in a 60-59 loss, eliminated a game away from the NorCal final for the third time under Watkins. But he became eligible after he earned a professional sales degree from the College of Applied Science and Technology in May 2015. That was a thing that was important to the basketball program here, Lillard said. All rights reserved. Lillard searched for games, and when grown men took over the main court an invitation for most of the smaller kids to retreat to the back room for PlayStation II he stayed and watched. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes) APAP. The Blazers reported that Lillard had surgery to repair a core injury that was causing chronic abdominal pain, and the procedure was performed at The Vincera Institute in Philadelphia. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Anthony hit a buzzer-beater from halfcourt to give him 37 first-half points en route to a franchise high 62 points for the Knicks. Lillard finished his collegiate career ranked second in school history with 1,934 career points, fifth in Big Sky Conference history. With 19.8 points per game, Williams produced at about the same clip this season as Lillard did (19.4 ppg) after he transferred in for his junior year in 2006-07. Hey Seanny J: Whatd you think of NBA All-Star Weekend. Saturday was drug-test day at the Blazers facility, and Lillard was one of the scheduled players due to give a urine sample. Lillards second half was just as good as his first, as the guard did it all: getting to the free throw line, slamming it down and hitting 3-pointers from the logo. 2 teams dropped out, looking to replace those 2 teams in the Damian Lillard Classic tournament silver division. Damian Lillard is not in the Hall of Fame. Lillard was a 5-foot-11 guard with no scholarship offers from major schools when he graduated from Oakland High in 2008. On top of that, he averages a career-high 32.3 points per game and has the potential to lead his team to the playoffs, where anything can happen. When it was all said and done, the Portland star had 71 points, tied with Donovan Mitchell for the most in the league this season, and his 13 made 3-pointers that night were one short of the NBA record that Golden States Klay Thompson set. Damian Lillard has made at least $193,078,512 playing professional basketball. But please consider that Lillard would not be relaxing inside this suburban basketball sanctuary as one of the top rookies in the NBA had it not been for his home sweet home. Yeah, we had that in high school, Watkins told Dennis Scott. Because of the history of me, and what I do, thats the beauty of art like this.. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? The Pelicans didn't take advantage of the one home game, as they lost 101-93 to the Orlando Magic on Monday night. We are going to be in some dogfights, we are going to be in some tough games. Trust me, if the ball was in Dames hands then everybody knew. Money played well. "I want to (thank) coach Claus for his eight years on the Idaho basketball staff and I wish him luck 6 overall. He has been named Oregon Sportswriter of the Year four times by the National Sports Media Association and has been recognized by APSE and the Pro Basketball Writers Association. In a performance that coach Chauncey Billups called a piece of art, Lillard scored a franchise-record 71 points, which included a Blazers-record 13 3-pointers, to While the Warriors play just two miles away, NBA success stories do not walk the city blocks of Brookfield. /. (The back of his jersey, if it had a name, would say, Williams Jr.). I sensed that (from the crowd) very early, Billups said. Rappers Lil Uzi Vert, Fetty Wap and DJ Esco even showed up to support. He was selected No. The superstar point guard would have a real path to championship contention Join our linker program. I was anxious. Young first met Lillard in eighth grade and sized him up the only way he knew how brutally honest . During his amateur career, he was the second leading scorer in the history of the Wildcats. He won three NBA All-Star titles and two All-NBA Teams during his NBA career. "I don't think I've been on a team where we've missed this many games from our starters.". The team has not yet made a decision on when Lillard will return to the court. He is a true success story and an inspiration to many. And I turned to him and said, Thats because they are expecting a run like, they are expecting something. And that was our interaction then we walked to half court.. He was a two-star recruit with few options, and packed his bags for Ogden, Utah to attend Weber State, where he missed a season with a broken foot. The contest was the second of a back-to-back for the Trail Blazers and Lillard had just returned from a calf injury. Lillard scored 60 points on Jan. 25 during a victory over Utah. I did the urine test yesterday and they backed it up with the blood draw tonight after the game and it was actually the first time in my career being tested after a game. On Saturday afternoon, following practice and after he had planted the seed of urgency into his teammates, Lillard spoke to the media while drinking a bottle of water. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. And to his teammates, it was the almost effortless manner in which he tied the NBAs highest-scoring performance this season. He never gave up on what appeared to be lofty NBA dreams despite being told at the second of the three high schools he attended that he should pursue something else. But within those city limits, he learned something more valuable. As Money Jr. tells it, his grandmothers brother struck it rich, and she went on to bequeath one of her children with the name. Lillard is now one of the Blazers greatest legends and continues to extend his range year in and year out in large part to hisLogo Lillard persona that is rooted in Oakland., Damian Lillards high school coach says Logo Lillard existed back then. He averaged 22.4 points and 5.2 assists per game his senior season and led Oakland to a 23-9 record. Lillard exploded from the get-go, scoring 16 in the first and a total of 41 for the half, which included an unreal 36 fast break three that was almost from halfcourt to close out his first half. Those are the moments I struggle with. He wasnt facilitating, getting other people involved as much as if he was the lead guard. He worked into the Arroyo High varsity starting lineup as a 5-foot-5 freshman, but once it became clear his coach would not return, Lillard searched for a new school. Bolted doors and insults are nothing to a boy from Brookfield Village. In Tuesdays 118 101 loss to the Jazz, Damian Lillard led all players with 21 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT). Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Web75.7K subscribers Check out former Oakland High School guard, Damian Lillard doing his thing back in his high school days Dame is currently leading the nation in scoring at And then, aside from that, they know that Im scared of needles.. It brought me down from up here (places hand as far as he could reach above his head) to the floor.. He was never highly regarded as a youth, and as a sophomore in high school he was benched. Despite having one of the best outside shooting percentages in the NBA, he has never been able to win a scoring title because his three-point attempts fail to convert. The Trail Blazers Damian Lillard scored 41 points (12-25 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 12-12 FT), seven assists, and one block in 43 minutes in Portlands 113-111 overtime win over the Suns on Friday. This offseason, Watkins says, he needs to learn when to avoid contact. 13 Campolindo in boys Division I regional, Christian high school basketball team forfeits tournament rather than play against transgender player, CIF NorCal basketball: No. amian Lillard has taken the NBA by storm as one of the biggest deep threats the league The absence of Damian Lillard, one of the most dynamic and explosive players in the league, will have a significant impact on the team. This is also the most points attempted by a player in NBA history, and it is also the most points ever attempted by a player in a season. Before all the fame and fortune, Lillard attended St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, the same high school of NBA legend Jason Kidd. He made every right play, Billups said. The guard is a rarity in professional sports today, as he has spent his entire 10-year career with the team that drafted him, despite rumors circulating he might sign with a different team. Damian Lillard has taken the NBA by storm as one of the biggest deep threats the league has ever seen. He played for the varsity basketball team at his high school in Oakland, California. In fact, he played his high school ball at a school in his hometown of Oakland, California that many people have never heard of: Oakland High School. Lillard, who is also known by his rap name Dame Dolla and recently released an album called The Letter O, spearheaded the transformation of the closet of a music room he once used to a greatly enlarged space with new computers, a drum set, turntables, production equipment and soundproof recording studio. To the more than 19,000 in attendance, it was so moving and so unmistakable that something special was happening that a palpable tension started building in the first quarter. But to Lillard, the art of basketball is found in the abstract. We used to have to play right after school. Damian Lillard was born in Oakland, California. And if another, then the boys slid down court holding sandbags. Damian Lillard has made it very clear that he is loyal to the Portland Trail Blazers. And we just fell short.. Despite Lillards quick start, the Blazers led only 32-31 after the first quarter. Ive been around the league a long, long time and 71 I mean, that was incredible, man.. Lillard left Weber State in 2012 to become the face of the university. Williams went off for 12 points in the first half on Saturday. Theres no doubt about it: Lillard has never been able to convert those three-point attempts. Hes been like that. The East Oakland native ended up growing four inches after graduation, starring at midmajor Weber State University and was selected with the sixth overall pick in 2012 NBA draft by the Blazers. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Oakland taught Lillard hard work. A piece of art.. When a team presents that type of defense, accept it and embrace it and depend on teammates to take them out of that coverage, Lillard said. section: | slug: damian-lillard-looks-to-lead-trail-blazers-past-pelicans | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | Oakland High wouldnt retire Lillards No. With a career earnings of around $350 million, he would have a net worth of around $500 million. I grew up in East Oakland, it was tough there, Lillard says. Yes, Damian Lillard started in high school. So, Lillard backed off from scoring. Damian Lillard sits on a bleacher inside the Portland Trail Blazers practice facility and romances about his hometown. But the name wasnt Damian Lillard. What High School Did Damien Williams Go To, What Classes Should I Take In High School For Aviation, Navigating The Risks Of Adolescence: Exploring The California State University Extended Risk And Wellness Course, Take Your Education To The Next Level: Exploring High School PG Classes, Promoting The Benefits Of High School Business Classes For Student Success, When Is The Best Time To Choose High School Classes? NBA: Whose NBA All-Star Game debut performance promises a future All-Star MVP? Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. The Trail Blazers vs. the Rockets wasnt a game many had marked on their calendar, as Houston is all but eliminated with a 13-47 record thus far while Portland has flirted with a .500 record all season. With that test behind him, Lillard said he couldnt believe it Sunday when he was told after the game he was again being tested this time a blood test. However, when Portland fans think of the moment that defined who Lillard is, it would be in Game 5 of 2019s first round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As one of the worlds most talented basketball players, he is an imposing figure. One day after reminding his teammates of the need to raise the bar for the stretch run, Lillard stormed out of the gate with 16 first-quarter points, which included 3 of 5 from 3. After the performances by famous rappers, after the jersey retirement, the man whose name adorns the far wall grabbed the microphone. And when they trapped him, he made the right passes. Perhaps it was that history, or perhaps it was knowing that Lillard the day before had started planting seeds of motivation throughout the roster about picking up the intensity and making a playoff push, but Lillard said he could sense an electricity in the building. A post shared by Damian Lillard (@damianlillard), I mean, honestly, I was like, Are yall serious? Lillard said Sunday during his postgame news conference. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. And it has made him who he is today. And for what I represent, what I put into the game, how I handle myself, how I handle success. First off, Lillard raps under the pseudonym Dame D.O.L.L.A. "@Dennis3DScott sat down with Dame's high school coach to discuss his rise to the top. ', "You mean to tell me he was Logo Lillard back in high school too? How much does Damian Lillard make? save for a section behind Lillard full of school-age children from a local church We gotta go out there and back against the wall every night.. The Pelicans have lost four straight games and stand a half-game ahead of Portland for the final Western Conference play-in berth. The game began with the Blazers in a tie for 11th place after the Los Angeles Lakers (29-32) won 111-108 at Dallas (32-30). His is a gritty town. The extension would keep Portlands star player under contract until 2026-27, though he has a player option for that year. He played in 103 games, starting 98 of them. But on Sunday, he allowed himself to continue what had become a celebratory tradition when he set a scoring mark taking a picture holding the boxscore of his scoring achievement, with the number of the record in bold, black ink, a nod to Wilt Chamberlains famous photo when he scored 100 points in 1962. So when I walked in the locker room, I was like, I dont even want to hold this paper up; I already know people are expecting it. There, he got more playing time and, in turn, averaged 20 points per game his junior year and 28 his senior year. "We had a great start, a great first half. For me, I cant play basketball for the rest of my life. I looked at him like this game is tight; we cant be doing that. Much like art, there were many interpretations of why Lillards performance was so exceptional. #1. Im positive that a lot of them had that kind of feeling. No. WebDamian Lillard G #0. He is shooting 45% from the field and 38% from three-point range for a 27.5% scoring average. It really, really was a masterful performance, Billups said. Its good for them to hear that.. His voice rises and flashes hints of anger when he talks about his St. Joe days. Lillard told Oakland High students that he believed in them and that anything is possible. Considering the schools heralded alumni list which includes singers Sheila E. and Dawn Robinson, rapper and radio personality Sway Calloway, actor David Carradine, novelist, journalist and civil activist Jack London, former Major League manager and All-Star Bill Rigney and several notable politicians, civil dignitaries and athletes theres certainly reason to believe anything is possible from this school. Easily they had about 15 points if not more just on us scoring and them just running. The force of his fourth-quarter dunk. But Lejuan Watts answered with what he had done all night for Bullard and bullied his way to the basket, crossing over behind his back and taking his defender off the dribble for his final of 15 points, cutting Oaklands lead to 59-58. Saturdays results, Tuesdays championship schedule, Campo elevates its play, routs Riordan to reach Open boys final, Mitty girls too much for Clovis West in Open semis, Naya Epps heats up, leads No. 6 overall by the Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft, and the rest they say is history. For his sophomore year, Lillard transferred to St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, the same private school that had produced former NBA point guard Jason Kidd; but by years end, a lack of playing time prompted Lillard to transfer schools yet again. Born: Jul 15, 1990 (32 years old) Birthplace/Hometown: Oakland, California. A sturdy 6-5, Watts looks like a man among boys and played like it. He helped lead the school to a 21-10 record, 15-1 in the Big Sky Conference during the 2007-08 season. I was playing to keep the lead instead of playing to score a bunch of points.. Try a week on us. Its just unbelievable, Gamble says. Now that the NBA All-Star Game has passed, we look forward to an exciting second half of NBA action to decide which teams will make a playoff appearance. Lillards performance was so special that even league officials took notice and randomly drug tested him immediately after the contest. So I was like, Man, Im going to do it for Jim Taylor. So I sat there and did it. After taking a 36-31 lead into halftime, Oaklands offense went silent to open the second half. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? I think thats why I was able to branch off and do my own thing.. And I wanted to be respected beyond the fact that I am Damian Lillard. It has different meaning to everybody.. That doesnt mean its always going to go right, or its always going to be fun, but whatever happens we have to keep marching forward. The Portland Trail Blazers took Damian Lillard with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft. In fact, according to the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard has a career shooting percentage of 29.1% on three-point shots. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The most unheralded of backstories turned into the most celebrated player in Blazers history. Williams, already taller than Lillard, is adept at slashing through traffic and getting to the rim, often drawing contact in the process. But I think the big takeaway for me, is the most fun Ive had and the thing I get the most emotional about is the journey. Damian Lillard during his senior season at Oakland High School, when he averaged 22.9 points per game when the Wildcats went 23-9, losing in the NorCal semifinals to De La Salle.
