Lillard Looks Forward to a ‘New Experience’ at the Olympics

Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is set to play a feature role on Team USA’s basketball squad at the Tokyo Olympics. Lillard, who committed to the team early, is in position to add to his already-burgeoning global profile.

Following the announcement of the final roster, Lillard explained to Trail Blazers Digital Reporter Casey Holdahl that he is looking forward to the opportunity to play for Team USA.

“It’s something I haven’t done, so being able to add something else to my legacy as a professional athlete, it’s pretty cool,” said Lillard. “And also to be able to get on a team and play with the best players in the league is going to be cool as well. A new experience, I’m looking forward to it. In the past I’ve participated but never got to go and do the fun part.”

Holdahl’s story also featured comments from Managing Direction of the Men’s National Team Jerry Colangelo. According to Colangelo, Lillard played an important part in the recruiting process for this year’s squad.

“It’s interesting, sometimes we’re not aware of who is calling who,” said Jerry Colangelo, the Managing Direction of the Men’s National Team. “I do remember over the years, I’ve had commitment from a few players, they started talking amongst themselves. That always happens. So I’m very happy that (Lillard) chose to do that, from what I’ve been told. So it takes a team effort and in this case, it takes players to participate as well as coaches and management.”

In the 2020-21 regular season, Lillard averaged 28.8 points and 7.5 assists per game.

You can read the full story from Holdahl by clicking here.