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NBA All-Star Damian Lillard announced his namesake scholarship program with students admitted to Portland State University at Oakland High School in Oakland, Calif. on Feb. 13, 2025.
Abigail Hoerchner
NBA All-Star Damian Lillard may no longer play for the Portland Trail Blazers but he’s still cementing his legacy in the City of Roses.
Lillard is partnering with Portland State University to launch the Damian Lillard Scholars Program. The program offers a $25,000 scholarship, per year, to up to 10 students graduating from select high schools in California’s East Bay Area.
Lillard grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Oakland High School.
“Students from my community in the East Bay now have an opportunity to pursue a college education in my adopted community of Portland without financial burdens,” said Lillard in a press statement. “My hope is that this scholarship becomes a stepping stone to a bright and promising future.”
Portland State President Ann Cudd said the university is excited to extend its reach to Lillard’s hometown.
“We could not be more proud to offer this scholarship to East Bay students while linking arms with one of Portland’s most exciting and inspiring civic leaders,” said Cudd. “Damian Lillard has heaped so much love on the city of Portland that PSU counts him as one of our own.”
The so-called Damian Lillard Scholars will also receive funds to pay for costs beyond tuition. That includes money for housing, food, transportation and textbooks.
The full cost to attend Portland State as an out-of-state student is approximately $46,000.
A pledge of $100,000 from Lillard to PSU is kickstarting the merit-based scholarship program next year. An unspecified donor is matching that amount, according to PSU.
So far, 15 students eligible for the program have been admitted to Portland State. A PSU spokesperson said the university is committed to awarding a total of 10 scholarships. But if all 15 prospective students do end up enrolling at PSU, they will all receive the scholarship.
More East Bay students can still apply. They must do so before PSU’s first-year application deadline on Aug. 1, 2025.
Lillard’s scholarship program at Portland State is funded for the next four academic years.
Tags: Sports, Higher Education
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