What happened: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski hosted Weber State men's basketball coach Kaleb Canales on The Program podcast, where Canales discussed Damian Lillard's involvement as a de facto general manager for the Wildcats. Canales, a longtime Lillard ally from their Portland days, framed the Trail Blazers star as an active voice in shaping Weber State's roster. The full episode is available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

Why it matters: Lillard's hands-on tie to his alma mater is a rare crossover between an NBA franchise cornerstone and a mid-major college program. It deepens the storyline around Lillard's post-playing ambitions and gives Weber State a recruiting edge few Big Sky programs can match. The conversation lands as Portland leans on Lillard's veteran leadership through the 2025-26 stretch.

What to watch: Watch for Weber State's offseason roster moves and any transfer-portal additions Lillard publicly endorses. Canales' next media appearances may add detail on how the GM arrangement actually functions day to day.