Damian Lillard has message for alma mater, Oakland High, before state championship game
Portland Trailblazers superstar and Oakland High alum Damian Lillard sent the basketball team a video message on Twitter a few hours before Oakland’s Division III state championship game against Buena-Ventura in Sacramento.
“My young fellas, first of all, I wanted to take a moment to congratulate you guys on making the state championship,” Lillard said. “That’s something myself and my teammates and my classmates were never able to do, but it was a dream of ours.”
Lillard, whose number “0” stands for an “O” in honor of his hometown, attended Oakland for his junior and senior years before starring collegiately at Weber State and professionally with the Trailblazers.
“Us being from Oakland, and being from the type of environment we come from, representing what we represent, being able to go and play in a state championship, going down to Sacramento is an honor,” Lillard said.
Oakland’s 2023 team entered the regional Division III playoff as a No. 9 seed and won games against Ponderosa, Carlmont and The King’s Academy to reach the NorCal final.
Oakland defeated rival Oakland Tech 77-61 in a heavily-attended event at Laney college to reach its first-ever state title game.
“I want to send love to y’all, and best of luck,” Lillard said. “Make it happen. Y’all know what you represent, and y’all know where we come from and y’all know what it means for the town.”
Oakland tips off against Buena at 4 p.m.
“Y’all have been representing all year, now its time to finish the job.”