Damian Lillard Biography
Damian Lillard, born on July 15, 1990, in Oakland, California, is a professional basketball player known for his clutch performances and scoring ability. He played college basketball at Weber State University, where he became one of the school’s all-time leading scorers. Lillard declared for the NBA Draft in 2012 and was selected 6th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Lillard made an immediate impact in the NBA, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2013. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the league’s elite point guards, known for his deep three-point shooting, leadership, and composure under pressure. Nicknamed “Dame Time” for his late-game heroics, he has been a multiple-time NBA All-Star and has consistently led Portland to playoff appearances.
Off the court, Lillard is also a successful rapper under the stage name “Dame D.O.L.L.A.” and is known for his philanthropy and leadership in social justice initiatives. In 2023, Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo in pursuit of an NBA championship. His commitment to excellence, both on and off the court, has made him one of the most respected figures in modern basketball.
Damian Lillard: Complete Profile
1. Early Life & Background
Full Name: Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard Sr.
Born: July 15, 1990, Oakland, California
Height / Weight: 6′2″ (1.88 m), 195 lb (88 kg)
Raised in Oakland, Lillard played at Arroyo, St. Joseph Notre Dame, and Oakland High School. Despite being a two-star recruit, he starred at Weber State University (2008–2012), earning third-team All-American and two Big Sky Player of the Year honors
2. NBA Career & Stats
Drafted: 2012, 1st round, 6th overall by Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers (2012–2023)
-
Rookie of the Year (2013), All-Rookie First Team
-
Multiple All-Star (2014, 2015, 2018–2021) & All-NBA selections
-
Franchise’s all-time scoring leader
-
Signature moment: game-winning 35‑footer vs. OKC in 2019 playoffs
Milwaukee Bucks (2023–present)
-
Traded in September 2023
-
2024: Won NBA Cup; selected as a 2025 All-Star reserve
-
2025: Sidelined by deep vein thrombosis, later suffered a torn Achilles in playoffs
Career averages: 25.1 points, 6.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds over 900+ games; ranks 4th all-time in 3-pointers (2,804) .
3. Trades & Contract
-
Major Trade: Traded to Bucks in a 3-team deal, Sep 27, 2023
-
Current Deal: Signed a two-year, $122 M extension with Portland in July 2022; total career earnings ~$328 M, projected 450 M by 2027
4. Injury History
-
March 2025: Developed blood clot in calf, missed over 14 games
-
April 27, 2025: Tore left Achilles tendon in playoffs, ending 2024–25 season; expected to miss most, if not all, of 2025–26
5. Off-Court & Shoes
Rapper Alias: Dame D.O.L.L.A. — released several rap albums
Endorsements: Multi-year Adidas deal (signed 2012; renewed 2014) with signature “Adidas Dame” shoe line
6. Personal Life
-
Faith: Christian; has a tattoo of Psalms 37:1–3
-
Family:
-
Met Kay’la Hanson in college.
-
Child timeline: son Damian Jr. in 2018; twins Kali and Kalii in Jan 2021. Married Sep 21, 2021; filed for divorce Oct 2023
-
7. Net Worth
-
Estimated net worth: $100 M–$120 M (as of 2023–24)
8. Future Outlook
Due to his Achilles injury, Lillard’s time with the Bucks may end—Milwaukee plans to waive and stretch his contract to sign Myles Turner. Giannis is reportedly unhappy about the move. Lillard becomes an unrestricted free agent once released and will miss much of the 2025–26 season.
Summary
Damian Lillard is an elite scorer and leader, earning widespread accolades in both college and the NBA. Despite recent setbacks from serious injuries, his legacy includes iconic moments, strong off-court ventures in music and fashion, and a valuable presence in any future lineup.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Damian Lillard?
A: Damian Lillard is a professional American basketball player known for his exceptional scoring ability and clutch performances. He plays in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks (as of 2024) and is a former long-time player for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Q2. When and where was Damian Lillard born?
A: Damian Lillard was born on July 15, 1990, in Oakland, California, USA.
Q3. What is Damian Lillard’s nickname?
A: He is popularly known as “Dame Time” due to his ability to hit clutch shots in the final moments of games.
Q4. Which college did Damian Lillard attend?
A: Damian Lillard played college basketball at Weber State University in Utah.
Q5. When was Damian Lillard drafted into the NBA?
A: He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Q6. Has Damian Lillard won any NBA awards?
A: Yes, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year (2013), has been selected to multiple NBA All-Star Games, and made several All-NBA Teams.
Q7. What is Damian Lillard known for besides basketball?
A: Damian Lillard is also a rapper and musician, known by the stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A. He has released several rap albums and is respected in the hip-hop community.
Q8. What jersey number does Damian Lillard wear?
A: He wears jersey number 0, symbolizing the letter ‘O’ for Oakland, Ogden (college), and Oregon.
Q9. What are some of Damian Lillard’s career highlights?
A: Key highlights include:
-
Scoring 61 points in a single game (career high),
-
Winning the NBA Bubble MVP in 2020,
-
Making several buzzer-beating game-winners in the playoffs.
Q10. Is Damian Lillard involved in charity or community work?
A: Yes, he is involved in several community initiatives and founded the RESPECT program, which promotes education and respect among youth.