Report: Damian Lillard To Compete In Three-Point Contest During 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend
Feb 3, 2023, 10:31 AM | Updated: Feb 4, 2023, 3:44 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard “intends to participate” in the 2023 PepsiCo 3-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
On Friday, February 3, the NBA insider posted on Twitter that Lillard would compete in the event.
“Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard intends to participate in the 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, league sources tell @NBAonTNT , @BleacherReport,” Haynes tweeted.
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard intends to participate in the 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 3, 2023
Lillard previously competed in the event in 2014 and 2019.
This year’s All-Star Weekend will be hosted by the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. It’s Utah’s first time hosting the event in 30 years.
Prior to his NBA career, Lillard played college basketball at nearby Weber State.
A day before Haynes’ report, Lillard was selected as a Western Conference reserve for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. It’s the former Weber State star’s seventh trip to the All-Star Game.
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It’s the guard’s first All-Star selection in a couple of years. Lillard was named an All-Star in four consecutive seasons from 2018-21.
Making his 7th #NBAAllStar appearance… Damian Lillard of the @trailblazers.
Drafted as the 6th pick in 2012 out of Weber State, @Dame_Lillard is averaging 30.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 7.4 APG for the Trail Blazers this season. pic.twitter.com/c54Nm0jy6i
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 3, 2023
Western Conference All-Star Reserves
Lillard was one of seven players named to the Western Conference All-Star bench. Jazz forward Lauri Markkaen also received an All-Star selection, his first.
- Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
- Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
- Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers)
Starters
The Western Conferences were previously announced in January. Those starters will be:
- Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
- Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks)
- LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
- Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
This season, the former Wildcat is averaging 30.7 points per game on 46.4 percent shooting, including 37.2 percent on three-pointers. He also averages 4.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 36.0 minutes per contest.
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Lillard ranks No. 6 in the league in scoring.
About Damian Lillard
Before his time as a professional, Lillard was a standout player for the Weber State men’s basketball team. He left Weber State as the program’s second-leading scorer all-time.
Lillard played for the Wildcats from 2008-12.
He scored 1,934 points during his time as a Wildcat. His jersey was retired by the university in 2017.
Lillard was drafted by Portland with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Last season, Lillard was recognized as one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players in history. He was honored during halftime of the league’s 2022 All-Star Game.
He’s played his entire professional career in Portland.
