Damian Lillard Jokes About Return to CBB with Remaining Year of Weber St. Eligibility

College basketball has certainly undergone significant changes of late with name, image and likeness opportunities and even G League players joining the fold, but an NBA legend returning to his alma mater would be quite the development.

While that isn't going to happen, it didn't stop Damian Lillard from joking about his final year of eligibility at Weber State on Wednesday:

Lillard was clearly joking, but players who previously competed at a professional level having eligibility has become one of the biggest talking points around college basketball.

Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports noted Santa Clara announced the signing of Thierry Darlan in September, which was notable since he became the first G League alum to join the college basketball ranks.

That allowed other schools to pursue G League prospects, although some coaches have criticized the trend and what it means for the sport.

"The trend is a byproduct of the NCAA's definition of amateurism loosening as college athletes have gained economic freedom," Eisenberg wrote. "The line between pro and college athlete has blurred with the NCAA permitting athletes to profit from NIL deals and with the House settlement allowing direct revenue-sharing from schools to athletes."

Still, there would be quite the difference between adding a G League alum and someone of Lillard's caliber.

The Portland Trail Blazers guard suited up for Weber State from 2008 through 2012 and was a two-time Big Sky Player of the Year and three-time All-Big Sky selection. He also poured in 24.5 points per game behind 40.9 percent shooting from deep during his final collegiate season.

That was enough to convince the Trail Blazers to select him with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft, and the rest is history.

Lillard became the franchise's all-time leader in points and arguably its greatest ever player with a resume that includes the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year, seven All-NBA selections, nine All-Star Game nods and a spot on the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

While he played for the Milwaukee Bucks the last two seasons, he returned to the Trail Blazers this offseason and will once again take the court for the team that drafted him once he recovers from a torn Achilles, likely in 2026-27.

Then maybe he can turn his attention toward a return to Weber State.