SECAUCUS, N.J. (ABC 4 Sports) - Damian Lillard just made history.
Lillard became the highest drafted Weber State basketball player ever when he was selected by the Portland Trailblazers with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Lillard is the 2nd highest drafted player from the Big Sky Conference ever, behind Montana's Michael Ray Richardson, who was selected 4th overall in 1978.
Lillard was a 2-time Big Sky Player of the Year. Growing up in a rough neighborhood in Oakland, to attending a tiny school in Ogden, Lillard has defied the odds and is on the road to NBA stardom.
"It means a lot," said Lillard. "Coming from where I come from, it just shows that I won people over. I've always been the underdog in high school, college, just being overlooked. To finally see that my body of work and how hard I worked to get in this position, it's just a good feeling."
Lillard, who averaged 24.5 points per game last season for the Wildcats and led the nation in scoring for most of the season, will be expected to become the Trailblazers starting point guard right away.
The primary criticism of Lillard is that he did not play against top notch competition while at Weber State, but quickly rose up the draft board with his individual workouts prior to the draft. Lillard was the first point guard selected.
"First off, I want to come in and develop a relationship with the guys and earn their respect," Lillard said. "I don't feel like he can lead if the guys don't respect me."
Coming from where he's come from, Lillard has already earned it.
