Damian Lillard, Portland State Launch $25K Scholarship

NBA All-Star Damian Lillard has launched the Damian Lillard Scholars program, providing $25,000 annual scholarships to students from nine East Bay high schools, aimed at facilitating their education at Portland State University. This initiative is a nod to Lillard's roots in Oakland, California, and his ties to Portland, where he played for the Trail Blazers from 2012 to 2023. The scholarships will help cover out-of-state tuition and additional expenses such as housing and textbooks, reducing financial burdens for students. Lillard expressed his commitment to giving back to his community and highlighted the importance of such opportunities for growth and exposure. For the 2025-26 academic year, nearly 30 students have applied, with 15 admitted so far. The program underscores Lillard's ongoing connection to both his hometown and his adopted city of Portland.