Damian Lillard Brings An 'A' Grade For Portland's 2012 NBA Draft On SB Nation

Former Weber State point guard Damian Lillard flew off the draft board at No. 6 overall with the Portland Trail Blazers' first selection of the 2012 NBA Draft, and nearly everyone is feeling good about their picks. Meyers Leonard also joined the fray at No. 11, so those two lottery picks are the basis for any grade assigned to the Blazers. Tom Ziller of SB Nation released his 2012 NBA Draft Grades for the Western Conference teams, and Portland earned an "A" grade because he thinks Lillard will become a good pro:

Drafted Damian Lillard No. 6, drafted Meyers Leonard No. 11, sold No. 41 to Nets for cash

The Blazers filled two immediate needs at point guard and center, so alright! The question is whether either of them are any good. I tend to believe that Lillard will be a good pro because of his shooting ability. We'll see how he is as a passer; the canvas is pretty blank on that one, as it is for every small-conference scoring guard. Leonard looked like a disaster on draft night; he should fare a bit better on the court, provided he can get up to speed quickly on what space LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers' star, takes up. Because of the NBA learning curve and the vital positions these two rookies will be in, it could be a tough season for Portland. But the future looks brighter today. GRADE: A

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Suits And Fashion: Damian Lillard Looked Quite Dapper On Draft Day

On Thursday night, Weber State point guard Damian Lillard heard his name called with the No. 6 overall pick as he officially became a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. Not only did he look happy, he looked good. Tom Ziller of SB Nation put together a full 2012 NBA Draft Fashion recap, and Lillard ranked third for the night behind Terrence Ross (and his glorious bow tie) and Harrison Barnes. That's a pretty solid showing.

Lillard's new teammate and fellow draftee Meyers Leonard ranked dead last out of 16 players for his questionable look on draft night, so clearly the Blazers felt they had to balance out their fashion swag after grabbing the talented point guard with their top pick. Here is Lillard's look with Ziller's quick thoughts:

I feel like this might be a next-level suit right here. This is an Oakland suit. Like Oakland Oakland. This is quite possibly the beginning of Oakland fashion.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Results: Trail Blazers Select Damian Lillard With No. 6 Overall Pick

Weber St. Wildcats point guard Damian Lillard is officially a member of the Portland Trail Blazers after they selected him with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard was considered a strong candidate to go in the first 10 picks, which is what happened by a considerable margin. Though he comes from a smaller school -- located in Ogden, UT -- Lillard worked his way into NBA consciousness last season and this spring.

Related: Damian Lillard Prepares For 2012 NBA Draft, 'License To Lillard' Is Revisited

Lillard had some strong workouts leading up to the draft, which helped him, and he was very productive as a senior for Weber State during the 2011-12 season. He increased his production in several major categories and averaged 24.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He finished second in the NCAA in scoring and was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: PG Damian Lillard Is Headed To Portland, Toronto Or New Orleans

Chad Ford of ESPN has released his latest and final 2012 NBA Mock Draft leading up to Thursday night's big event. According to Ford, PG Damian Lillard appears like a lock No. 6 with the Portland Trail Blazers:

Analysis: The Blazers need a point guard and a big man. They'll have an easy choice here if Drummond goes at No. 5. Lillard is a steady, athletic guard who can shoot the lights out and get to the rim. He had a stellar workout in Portland in front of Paul Allen that really sealed the deal.

Trade Scenarios: GM Neil Olshey told Portland reporters on Wednesday night that it's unlikely the team will trade either of its picks at Nos. 6 or 11.

Blazers' Big Board: 1. Damian Lillard 2. Dion Waiters 3. Andre Drummond

But if the Trail Blazers happen to pass on the dynamic point guard, Ford also foresees him getting strong consideration at No. 8 and No. 10 with the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets both slotting Lillard high on their big boards at those spots.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Damian Lillard Prepares For 2012 NBA Draft, 'License To Lillard' Is Revisited

The 2012 NBA Draft will unfold on Thursday night, at there is no doubt that Damian Lillard has done everything in his power to make sure scouts and general managers know him well. After an impressive showing at the NBA Draft Combine and some great individual workouts for teams, the Weber State point guard is now expected to be picked somewhere in the top-10.

Mike Prada of SB Nation has taken a closer look at Lillard's rise -- everything from his Oakland roots to his "License to Lillard, Episode 1," a web video series designed to take people inside Lillard's preparation for the 2012 NBA Draft -- and there is plenty to like about the young scorer:

A look at the tape shows Lillard's potential in pick-and-roll situations. He's so strong shooting off the dribble that teams can't duck under the screen. If they try to go over or hedge screens hard, he's quick enough to turn the corner or split the trap. His floater is already very advanced for his age and, while he could still improve his ability to finish around the rim, he barrels into contact and gets to the free throw line often. He also gets really low to the ground when he dribbles, preventing teams from hacking away and forcing turnovers.

There aren't a ton of assists in there, to be fair, but there are a lot of smart passes...

The NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 28 starting at 5:00 p.m. MT on ESPN.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: PG Damian Lillard Goes To Portland At No. 6 In New Mock

NBADraft.net has long been a go-to website for draftniks, and the site's latest mock draft has Weber State point guard Damian Lillard going No. 6 to the Portland Trail Blazers. This shouldn't come as a surprise. Lillard was said to have a legendary open gym workout in Portland, and this is far from the first mock draft pegging the point guard to the Trail Blazers at No. 6.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft: David Aldridge Sees Damian Lillard To Golden State

Portland's decision would seem to come down to Lillard and UConn big man Andre Drummond. Drummond is thought to have more upside due to the jarring athleticism he possesses for a 7-footer. However, Drummond also has serious motor issues which contributed to an underwhelming freshman year for the Huskies. The Blazers also hold the No. 11 pick, and are expected to come away with a point guard and big man when the first round ends.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Speaks With Media In NYC

In anticipation of Thursday's NBA Draft, top prospect Damian Lillard met with members of the media at the Westin Hotel in New York City to discuss a variety of draft-related topics. He was one of just 12 players invited to the sessions, a strong reflection of how his draft stock has improved league-wide over the past few months.

Over at Blazers Edge, SB Nation's Mike Prada has transcribed part of the interview, which includes some nice tidbits about how Lillard views himself as a player, among other things. One of those topics is how he'd fit in with the Portland Trail Blazers, and he seemed excited by the possibility:

I think I would fit well. They have an All-Star post in LaMarcus Aldridge. He's going to demand a double team. I would be able to play off of him, when he's the man in the double team. It's good to be able to knock down shots, a threat if they want to double you can make him pay.

While Lillard has the reputation of a score-first guard after scoring nearly 25 points per game at Weber State, he's also excited to show NBA teams that he's capable of running an offense after being the primary scoring option at a smal school:

Naturally, I look to make plays for other people, but at Weber State, my responsibility was to score points. That's what my team needed me to do to win games. I'm definitely a scorer. I'm not saying I'm not a scorer. But I'm comfortable making plays for other guys.

While numerous teams around the league could really use a perimeter player that can handle the ball, set up teammates and score on his own when necessary, Lillard has no expectations about his role upon entering the league. He'll be fine whether he's starting early or not:

I haven't really thought about coming in and starting. I realize that there's a lot of guys who are respected in the league, established. I'm coming in as a rookie. All I want to come in and do is work my way on to the floor. Earn some minutes. If that leads to me starting, so be it. I'm always working on my game so if I'm in a position where I need to start, I'll be ready.

At the moment, mock drafts have Lillard going as high as No. 6 overall to Portland, with few mocks seeing him any lower than No. 10 overall to New Orleans.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: David Aldridge Sees Damian Lillard To Golden State

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard heads to the Golden State Warriors with the No. 7 overall pick in the mock draft from David Aldridge of NBA.com. Golden State hasn't been tied to Lillard much given the presence of another young scoring guard there, but Aldridge doesn't think that should stop the Warriors:

He's come on strong in the last month to become the consensus top pick at point guard. Yes, the Warriors have Steph Curry, but Curry's injuries the last two years have to give Golden State pause. The Warriors have a big man need, but none of them is good enough to take here. The one who could be, Andre Drummond, is just too big a risk at this point.

Curry is considered the cornerstone of Golden State's present-day roster, but he does have the injury questions that Aldridge mentions. He only missed eight games during the 2010-2011 season, but he sat out 40 of the team's 66 games during this year's abbreviated season. Still, it would admittedly be a surprise if Lillard goes to Golden State.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes No. 6 To Portland In SI.com's Latest

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard goes to the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 6 overall pick in the latest mock draft from SI.com's Sam Amick. We're just one day before the draft, and a player that wasn't even considered for the lottery at one point could end up going with a single-digit pick:

Lillard would address a big need at point guard, where Raymond Felton had a disappointing year and is now a free agent. But several teams I spoke with are starting to believe that Duke's Austin Rivers could be the guy here. His ability to play both guard positions is seen as a major plus.

Like Lillard, Rivers is a late-riser on draft boards that has major appeal to teams as a potentially effective backcourt scorer. Lillard is considered more of a traditional point guard than Rivers, but from Amick's comment it appears that the Blazers believe Doc's son can run the offense for periods of time.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Pegged At No. 6 To Portland Trail Blazers By Jeff Goodman Of CBS Sports

The latest buzz out of the 2012 NBA Draft has the Portland Trail Blazers deciding between two players with the No. 6 overall selection: Weber State point guard Damian Lillard and UConn center Andre Drummond.

Related: Damian Lillard 2012 NBA Draft Scouting Video From SB Nation

Lillard was ultra productive in his four seasons for the Wildcats in the lowly Big Sky. Drummond was seen as a major talent who underachieved in his lone season in the Big East. We will finally find out who Portland who pick on Thursday when the draft gets underway. Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports sees the Blazers going with the point guard.

Lillard has blown everyone away at the combine and in workouts. He's a big-time shooter who can step in and play the point for Portland. Also, the Blazers can still get a front court guy at No. 11.

As Goodman notes, the Blazers also hold the No. 11 pick in the first round. Lillard was said to have the best workout in Portland since Kevin Durant. So, does that mean the Trail Blazers will pass on him, too?

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Damian Lillard Impressed During Trail Blazers Workout

The Weber St. Wildcats product, PG Damian Lillard, wowed scouts and Portland Trail Blazers personnel during his early June workout with the team, but the full extent of the impression he left on Portland is just now being fully understood.

According to Dwight Jaynes of CSN NorthWest, Lillard left the Blazers with only positive remarks:

One person at the workout said, "I swear, he missed two shots the whole time -- that's all. He was amazing."

Another source was even stronger.

"It's the best workout we've had here since Kevin Durant," he said, echoing what others have said about that workout.

Lillard is currently expected to land with the Trail Blazers at pick No. 6, but the Oakland, California, native has also been touted as a sleeper pick in the upcoming 2012 NBA draft, suggesting he may go even go higher if other teams become keen on him.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Damian Lillard 2012 NBA Draft Scouting Video From SB Nation

Damian Lillard is a hot name in the 2012 NBA Draft, and the staff at SB Nation Studios has provided a slick video scouting profile if you need to acquaint yourself with the Oakland native and Weber State phenom. He brings a strong competitive streak and a history of efficient scoring from the point guard position, which draws comparisons to NBA players like Mo Williams and Lindsey Hunter, but there are still questions about how is production against low-level NCAA competition will translate to the NBA. Check out the embedded video below and be sure to pass along your opinion in the YouTube comments section. If you want more coverage of top prospects like Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Lamb, Austin Rivers, Bradley Beal and others, be sure to check out the complete video playlist.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft News: Damian Lillard Named Sleeper Pick By Yahoo! Sports

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is a rising prospect in the 2012 NBA Draft that is likely to be selected in among the top-10 picks, but that doesn't mean fans will necessarily understand the caliber of player their team is getting. Lillard is prepared for the doubters and relishes the opportunity to prove them all wrong, which is part of the reason why he has thrived in NBA Combine workouts and team interviews. As the top point guard prospect told Mark Spears of Yahoo! Sports, he doesn't expect to be an obscure name for long:

"There are some people who are real basketball fans who know what's really going on and know who I am," Lillard said. "But for a lot of people when I get drafted they'll say, 'Why did they pick him? Who is this guy?' It is not unfamiliar for me because I've always been that guy that people don't know. But then they start to learn about me.

"I feel like eventually I'm going to win people over because I'm going to get better."

Lillard finished as the second-leading scorer in the NCAA last season, and he draws on his Oakland roots for inspiration in his NBA journey:

"Just watching G.P. in the NBA to when I met him, he talks a lot because he got Oakland in him," Lillard said. "Just being from Oakland I got to hold that up. When I'm playing against somebody I feel like there is a certain attitude you have to have because you're from Oakland. I saw [Payton] do it against Michael Jordan and he had that look like, 'I'm from Oakland.'"

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Damian Lillard To Kings Would Be 'Cutting Off Your Nose To Spite Your Face'

The Sacramento Kings hold the No. 5 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and Damian Lillard is a projected top-10 point guard and the No. 7-ranked prospect on the Draft Express Top-100 list, but that doesn't mean the two parties would pair well. In fact, Draft Express front man Jonathan Givony went so far as to call the hypothetical selection of Lillard over North Carolina swingman Harrison Barnes another reason for Kings fans to "jump off a cliff," and a strategy akin to "cutting your nose to spite your face." Ouch.

To be fair, it has more to do with poor fit than anything when it comes to the Kings and Lillard. Tyreke Evans probably fits better in the backcourt than he does on the wings, but Sacramento already drafted two smaller guards in the 2011 NBA Draft -- Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas. In other words, the criticism is aimed at the Kings more than it is at Lillard the NBA prospect.

Here are the relevant tweets from Givony:

If Kings fans didn't need another reason not to jump off a cliff, there's lots of chatter Sac is considering passing on Barnes for Lillard.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2012

Not that I don't like Lillard, I just don't understand strategy of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Drafted guard top-10 last year.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2012

Lillard is projected to be selected with the No. 6 pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the latest mock draft at Draft Express. The NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 28 starting at 5:00 p.m. MT on ESPN.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Receives Green Room Invite

Weber State guard Damian Lillard is of the top prospects in the 2012 NBA Draft and on Monday he learned that he'd been invited to attend the draft in person. Lillard will join the likes of Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the green room.

Green Room Invites: Davis, Robinson, Beal, Kidd Gilchrist, Barnes, Lillard, Waiters, Lamb, Drummond, Rivers, Henson, Zeller, Leonard.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 25, 2012

Related: NBA Mock Draft 2012: Damian Lillard Heads To Blazers At No. 6 In Latest Chad Ford Mock

Lillard averaged 24.5 points, four assists and five rebounds per game for Weber State during the 2011-12 season. Many mock drafts project that he'll be selected somewhere in the top 10.

The draft gets underway on Thursday, June 28 at 5:00 p.m. MT. ESPN will have the coverage.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Damian Lillard Heads To Blazers At No. 6 In Latest Chad Ford Mock

Chad Ford's 9.0 Mock Draft is out, and the latest projection for PG Damian Lillard suggests the Weber State graduate will do as the 19th century American did, heading the call: Go West, young man, go West and play for the Portland Trail Blazers.

According to Ford's mock draft, Lillard appears the favorite over C Andre Drummond to go at No. 6 for Portland:

6. Portland Trail Blazers -- PG Damian Lillard

Analysis: The Blazers need a point guard and a big man. They'll have to make a very tough choice here between Lillard and Andre Drummond. Lillard is a steady, athletic guard who can shoot the lights out and get to the rim. Drummond is a super athletic big man who can block shots. While teams usually opt for size, the fact that Drummond is two to three years away might tip the scale toward Lillard. The Blazers, remember, aren't rebuilding, they're retooling. Dion Waiters is the sleeper pick here.

Lillard has been projected to go as high as No. 5 in the upcoming 2012 NBA draft, but regardless of where he goes in the first round, he is liable to become the highest-drafted Weber St. Wildcats player in school history.

In 1972, forward Bob Davis was selected with the 14th overall pick, in the second round, but Davis went on to play in only 9 NBA games. No Weber State grad has been drafted in the first round.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Damian Lillard Pegged At No. 7 To Golden State Warriors By Draft Express

It's starting to look like Weber State point guard Damian Lillard has established himself as the top point guard in the 2012 NBA Draft. Most expect Lillard to now be selected in the top ten during Thursday's first round, with the Sacramento Kings' No. 5 pick being the earliest he could conceivably be selected.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft Meta-Analysis, Vol. 3: Rumors Sully Sullinger

The latest mock from Draft Express has the Kings taking North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes, the Trailblazers tabbing UConn center Andre Drummond at No. 6, and Lillard getting snatched up by the Golden State Warriors with the seventh pick. Here's what Jonathan Givony had to say:

Damian Lillard: PG, 21, 6-3, 189, Weber State, Junior

Breaking the draft down into tiers, it's clear there are a few large dropoffs in value. One is between picks one and two. Another is right here. The player who is picked at seven could very well have been drafted at 17 under different circumstances. The Warriors have a group of about 10 players to choose from, and don't have any type of consensus at this point about who they might take. Lillard appears to be the best long-term prospect on the board in terms of sheer value, and should be able to see minutes alongside Stephen Curry thanks to his excellent size and perimeter shooting ability.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft Rumors: Damian Lillard A Tier 3 Prospect, Says ESPN's Chad Ford

Now that LeBron James and the Miami Heat have been crown NBA champions, the focus for the league quickly turns to the 2012 NBA Draft. Weber State point guard Damian Lillard has impressed scouts and general managers with his efficient style of play and strong scorer's mentality during workouts and on film, but where does he rank among the other prospects vying to be drafted among the lottery picks?

To answer this question, Chad Ford of ESPN has complied his NBA Draft Tier Rankings to sort out the best available players in the draft. Anthony Davis is alone in Tier 1, while Lillard slides in as the first listed point guard on the board by landing in Tier 3 with Andre Drummond and Dion Waiters.

What does it mean to be in Tier 3? For starters, Ford notes that players on the third level are consensus top-10 picks among the GMs he polled, but they come in just below projected very good starters or potential all-star talents in Tier 2 (Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson).

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Is Only Doing Solo Workouts

Damian Lillard just may be the hottest name in the draft. The Weber State point guard exploded onto NBA radars during his senior season, and he's gone on to wow a host of teams during the pre-draft process. Lillard is completing with North Carolina sophomore Kendall Marshall to become the first point guard chosen, and at the moment, it would appear he may have the upper hand.

What's interesting about Lillard's pre-draft strategy is that he's only doing solo workouts. ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford isn't sure how it will affect him.

Weber State's Damian Lillard has been doing only solo workouts. So far he has worked out for the Raptors (6/12), Kings (6/13), Blazers (6/15) and Warriors (6/17). The Hornets have been trying to get him in, but he'll come only if they agree to a solo workout. It's an interesting strategy for Lillard; I'm not sure whether it's going to help him or hurt him.

Of the teams he's worked out for, it sounds like the Blazers are the highest on him. He had a very strong workout in Portland that ended with a dinner invite from Paul Allen. The question is whether the Blazers take him at No. 6 or No. 11. With teams like the Warriors, Raptors and Hornets also high on Lillard, he might not be around by the 11th pick.

Lillard averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and four assists per game in 2011-2012.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft 2012: Sacramento Kings 'Seriously Considering' Damian Lillard With No. 5 Pick

The Sacramento Kings are seriously considering drafting Weber State point guard Damian Lillard with the fifth overall pick in next week's NBA Draft after he impressed team officials during workouts, as Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld reports.

Lillard generally isn't considered one of the five best talents in this year's draft, but he's been moving up draft boards all year.

Hearing Damian Lillard crushed in Sacramento, and while they need another guard like a hole in the head, they are strongly considering him

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 20, 2012

At the moment, the Kings already have numerous players in their backcourt, including Tyreke Evans, Marcus Thornton, Isaiah Thomas and last year's first round pick, Jimmer Fredette. One has to imagine that Sacramento would pursue a trade for at least one of aforementioned players if Lillard is ultimately the selection.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard To New Orleans In SI.com's Latest

As he continues to solidify his status as an obvious lottery pick, Weber State point guard Damian Lillard goes to the New Orleans Hornets with the No. 10 selection in the latest mock draft from Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated. Lillard would give the Hornets a younger alternative to Jarrett Jack, not to mention a long-term replacement for Chris Paul.

Though Lillard would appear to be the smart play, he hasn't worked out for New Orleans yet and I'm told he may not unless he's allowed to do an individual workout like he has in sessions with other teams. The Hornets would rather see him against competition, so it remains to be seen if this has an effect. And Portland, which was head over heels for Lillard after his workout there last Friday, would be more than happy to take him at No. 11 if he fell.

Some mock drafts have had Lillard going to Portland with the No. 6 pick, but there's a good chance that the Blazers opt to select a big man there instead with the hopes of having Lillard fall. Amick also notes that Lillard impressed the Kings in workouts, and the Raptors are considering the point guard.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Damian Lillard A Top-10 Pick In Ziller's Newest Mock

The fate of Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is one of the most interesting storylines heading into the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard is a lock to be selected in the first round, but his range is anywhere from the No. 6 overall pick to potentially outside the lottery. He may be the first point guard taken, or he could be something like the third point guard taken.

SBNation's Tom Ziller, though, is bullish on Lillard's draft prospects. In his most recent 2012 mock draft, Ziller sees Lillard reaching his ceiling at the No. 6 overall pick, which is held by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers are widely seen as needing a young point guard, and they may decide to pull the trigger on Lillard at No. 6. If the Blazers pass on Lillard at that spot, he may be in play for them when they pick again at No. 11 overall.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes No. 8 In ESPN Mock Draft 8.0

The Toronto Raptors hold the No. 8 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and have been linked to Syracuse guard Dion Waiters on ESPN over the last few weeks, but Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is their man in Chad Ford's NBA Mock Draft 8.0. Ford has Waiters flying off the board at No. 7 to the Golden State Warriors, so Lillard is the next-in-line as a potentially dynamic backcourt scorer, ahead of guys like Austin Rivers (No. 10) and Jeremy Lamb (No. 11).

The other top PG prospect in the draft, Kendall Marshall, drops all the way to Dallas Mavericks at No. 17 due to concerns about how his lack of elite athleticism will impact his ability to produce in the NBA.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Disliked By ESPN's Hollinger Draft Rater

The 2012 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching, and Weber State point guard Damian Lillard has emerged as a clear top-10 draft pick. He impressed NBA scouts and general managers at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and during individual team workouts by showing great shooting range and solid quickness, but he hasn't made a huge impression everywhere. John Hollinger's Draft Rater on ESPN is designed to predict the Player Efficiency Rating (PER) for the rookie class each year -- last season the model nailed prospects like Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard, but failed on Jan Vesely and Jimmer Fredette -- and Lillard is rated as a "potential perimeter bust."

His predicted PER is a paltry 9.75, ranking him behind players like Tyshawn Taylor, Austin Rivers, Marquis Teague and Tony Wroten. In essence, Hollinger's draft rater believes Lillard should not be drafted in the top-10, and that he really belongs somewhere in the back end of the first-round.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Another Version Ties Damian Lillard To Portland

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is projected to be taken with the sixth overall selection in the latest mock draft from NBADraft.net, which went up over the weekend. This is just the latest publication that's tied Lillard to Portland with the sixth pick, although it's worth noting that some unconventional choices were made here.

While this mock does have some more unexpected picks (such as Andre Drummond-to-Charlotte and Thomas Robinson-to-DC), this is far from the first time that we've seen Lillard being associated with Portland. The Blazers were clearly disappointed with Raymond Felton last season, and Lillard would provide an immediate burst of athleticism.

At this point, the sixth overall pick does feel like the ceiling for where Lillard can ultimately be selected, though. Lillard isn't really being considered a possible top-2 pick, and the three other teams that round out the first five selections (Washington, Cleveland, Sacramento) already have young point guards to work with.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: DraftExpress Sees Damian Lillard Heading To New Orleans

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard heads to the New Orleans Hornets with the tenth overall pick in the latest mock draft from Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.com. At this point, Lillard has been tied to numerous teams in the lottery, but Givony has Lillard joining Anthony Davis in the Big Easy:

Jarrett Jack exceeded expectations for New Orleans this season, but may not be a long-term solution. He has only one year left on his contract, meaning a potential upgrade at point guard could be in order. Lillard would complement the likes of Davis and Eric Gordon extremely well.

The tenth overall pick was acquired by New Orleans as part of the deal that sent Chris Paul to L.A. last year. It's originally the Minnesota Timberwolves' pick, but now the Hornets will have the chance to acquire a second key building block this summer. Lillard could certainly qualify.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Set For Golden State Workout

Since the end of the college basketball season, few people have seen their stock rise like Damian Lillard. The former Weber State point guard has proven to evaluators that his game translates against elite talent and he was one of the stars of the NBA Draft combine.

Following the combine, Lillard has worked out for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, and according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, he is scheduled to work out for another team with a lottery pick this weekend:

@chadfordinsider: Upcoming Workouts: MKG & Beal in Charlotte on Mon. Lillard in GS on Sun. Drummond in DC on Mon. Barnes in DC on Tues

Like the other teams he worked out for since the combine, Golden State is searching for its point guard of the future. After the trade of Monta Ellis, the Warriors are looking for someone to pair in the backcourt alongside Stephen Curry.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Works Out For Portland Trail Blazers

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard worked out for the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday; reports indicate that the workout went well, and CSN Northwest's Dwight Jaynes believes the Blazers will take Lillard at No. 6 overall.

The Trail Blazer brass -- including Allen -- took Lillard to dinner Thursday night. And the owner isn't in the habit of going out to dine with just anybody, including his permanent employees. I think Portland had a real good feeling about him prior to the workout and came away from his morning session at the team's practice facility feeling even better about it.

(Via Blazer's Edge.)

Related: 2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Rains Jumpers In A Pre-Draft Workout For Kings (Video)

Blazer's Edge has much more on Lillard's visit and workout, including some video.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Rains Jumpers In A Pre-Draft Workout For Kings (Video)

As the 2012 NBA Draft inches closer, Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is emerging as one of the hottest names in the class. Lillard burst onto NBA radars as a senior this past season, and he's been impressing even more in pre-draft workouts. He recently visited the Sacramento Kings, where he displayed his plus-athleticism and ability to shoot the rock.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft Meta-Analysis, Vol. 2: Combine Results And Workouts Wreak Havoc

Here's some footage from the workout:

The Kings hold the No. 5 pick in the draft, which is conceivably the highest Lillard could go. Most projections have the point guard going between No. 6 and No. 11, with the Portland Trail Blazers holding each of those selections.

Lillard is still locked in a battle with North Carolina sophomore Kendall Marshall to be the first point guard off the board, but early indications seem to be pointing Lillard's way.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Raptors Pit Damian Lillard Against Kendall Marshall In Workouts

The Toronto Raptors hold the No. 8 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and on Tuesday they host several potential lottery prospects in workouts, including Kendall Marshall, Terrence Ross and Damian Lillard. The Raptors had been linked to Syracuse combo guard Dion Waiters in rumors about a draft-day promise, but team president and general manager Brian Colangelo denied any such promise from Toronto. Marshall and Lillard are in direct competition to become the first point guard off the draft board, and they bring very different skills to the table. Lillard is a scorer that produced with high efficiency at Weber State, while Marshall is a pass-first PG that led a loaded North Carolina team.

Both players competed in the NBA Draft Combine, but it was Damian Lillard who emerged as the "real star of the Draft Combine," according to ESPN's Chad Ford. For a direct comparison of Marshall, Lillard and other lottery prospects, be sure to check out my full post at Hardwood Paroxysm -- Fun With 2012 NBA Draft Scouting Reports (A Mock Draft Supplement For Lottery Picks).

RT @RaptorsPR: Seven participants for #Raptors Tues. #NBA draft workout: K. Marshall, G - UNC; D. Joseph, G - Oregon; D. Lillard, G - We ...

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 12, 2012

Cont. #Raptors Tues. #NBA draft workout: T. Ross, F - Wash.; H. Thompson, F - G'town; H. Sims, C -G'town; K. O'Quinn, C - Norfolk St.

— RaptorsPR (@RaptorsPR) June 12, 2012

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Damian Lillard 'Real Star Of The Draft Combine'

The 2012 NBA Draft Combine presented an opportunity for Weber State point guard Damian Lillard to show off his skills to NBA scouts and executives in drills against other first-round PG prospects like Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten, and he clearly made the most of it. Lillard was "the real star of the Draft Combine," according to ESPN's Chad Ford, as he dazzled in drills, shot well, flashed good athleticism, nailed the interview process and measured out very similar to former NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

Ford goes so far as to say Lillard's measurements are "eerily similar" to Rose's. Lillard is 6-1 3/4 tall without shoes (Rose 6-1 1/2), he recorded a 6-7 3/4 wingspan (Rose hit 6-8) and both players reached a 40-inch max vertical. Comparisons to a player as accomplished as Rose might be going a bit too far, but Lillard is likely a lottery pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Ford pegs his draft range as somewhere from No. 6 (Portland Trail Blazers) to No. 13 (Phoenix Suns).

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Goes No. 10 To New Orleans In CBS Sports' Latest Mock

Weber State standout Damian Lillard is in a battle right now with North Carolina's Kendall Marshall to see who will be the first point guard selected in the 2012 NBA Draft. A new mock by Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports gives the edge to Lillard. Goodman has Lillard projected to go No. 10 to the New Orleans Hornets, one spot ahead of Marshall, who's predicted to go No. 11 to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft Meta-Analysis: Pre-NBA Draft Combine Version

The No. 10 pick will of course be the Hornets' second of the first round. New Orleans won the rights to Kentucky's Anthony Davis when it won the draft lottery. Many sites have been projecting the Hornets to grab one of the two top point guards come draft day.

The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 24.5 points and five assists as a junior last season for the Wildcats.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Damian Lillard Looks Like 'Legit Lottery Pick' At NBA Draft Combine

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard has flown under-the-radar in terms of coverage and notoriety for long enough, but his reputation among NBA scouts and general managers has continued to grow during the 2012 NBA Draft process. In fact, Lillard "received the most buzz" of any player at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago on Thursday, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. Not only did the talented PG prospect shoot lights out in drills, he also shined in the one-on-one competitions. According to Ford's report, one NBA GM felt strongly enough about Lillard to say "he looked like a legit lottery pick."

That shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, honestly. Even though he has to overcome the question marks that surround all players from smaller schools and lesser conferences -- Weber State did not play a top-25 team during the 2012 season -- Lillard had already been listed as the top PG prospect in the draft and is projected to land somewhere in the No. 6-to-No. 10 range by multiple draft sites.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Combine Measurements: Damian Lillard With Above-Average Height And Wingspan?

The 2012 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago is churning out measurements on various prospects, and every inch counts in the evaluations by NBA general managers and scouts. Weber State point guard Damian Lillard produced excellent numbers in his college career and he scored with terrific efficiency despite a high usage rate, but size has been a question.

Chad Ford of ESPN is reporting measurements for various players via Twitter on Friday, and Lillard measured out well. Here are the exact measurements, via Ford:

Damian Lillard 6'1.75" socks 6' 2.75" shoes and 6' 7.5" wing 8' 0" reach

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 8, 2012

These may not look like much on their own, so it's important to take a look and compare the measurements to the averages from draft prospects over the years. Draft Express has compiled average height, wingspan and standing reach by position for multiple NBA drafts, and Lillard is above-average in terms of height without shoes (nearly 0.75 inches above the PG average) and also with regard to wingspan (2.2 inches above PG average). Take a look at the chart for the sake of comparison (via Draft Express):

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Weber State Prospect Damian Lillard Hopes To Represent Oakland's Toughness

The Weber St. Wildcats have a hot prospect among their alums for the first time since Justus Thigpen in 1969. G Damian Lillard is projected to go to the Portland Trail Blazers with the No. 11 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, and the Oakland native is on top for a first time.

A recent article from Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick profiled the 21-year-old, who survived a mugging in high school and managed to bolt to the top of many draft boards despite playing for a mid-major school. According to Lillard, his California roots helped him in that pursuit:

"Oakland breeds toughness, and guys who don't back down and will guard whoever," Lillard said. "So I definitely want to hold that standard so people see that I'm an Oakland guard. I've got that same fire to me as those other guards, and hopefully I'll prove myself."

The 2012 NBA Draft begins June 28.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Damian Lillard Goes No. 6 Overall In Latest SB Nation Mock

The 2012 NBA Draft is light on top-tier point guards, yet Damian Lillard is someone nearly every draft expert feels good about at this point in the process. The NBA Draft Combine in Chicago could change how teams feel about some late-lottery prospects and tweeners, but Lillard is a top-10 pick on most sites thanks to a solid knack for scoring and superb averages of 24.5 points per game on 47 percent shooting and 41 percent from three-point range in 2012 for Weber State.

ESPN college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb recently rated Lillard as the eighth-best prospect in the class, but SB Nation's Tom Ziller has the intriguing PG coming off the board even earlier in his latest 2012 NBA Mock Draft.

After Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bradley Beal, Harrison Barnes and Thomas Robinson come off the board (in that exact order), the Portland Trail Blazers are projected to snatch up Lillard with the No. 6 overall pick. That probably marks the best-case-scenario for the Weber St. product, as fellow PG prospect Kendall Marshall is lurking behind him at No. 8 in Ziller's projections.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chad Ford Sees Damian Lillard Going To Portland

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Chad Ford projects Weber State point guard Damian Lillard to be selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 11th overall pick. The Blazers also have the sixth overall selection in the draft, and Ford notes that Portland could end up taking Lillard there, too.

If the Blazers get [UConn's Andre] Drummond at No. 6, their other big need is at the point. If Lillard is here, I think he'd be tough to pass on. Although he's not a pure point guard, he does so many things well and should be able to contribute right away. Jeremy Lamb is also a viable option.

In his mock, Ford sees the Blazers taking Drummond with the sixth pick and Lillard with the 11th pick, but he adds in an earlier blurb that the team could be considering the point guard with its earlier pick, too. Other than Portland, Ford has the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets as possibilities for Lillard.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Draft Rumors: Denver Interested In Quincy Miller, Royce White

The Denver Nuggets are working out a pair of draft prospects, Quinzy Miller and Royce White, in preparation for the upcoming 2012 NBA draft. According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Miller -- who was at one time a highly-prized draft prospect -- has been working hard to improve his game leading up to the draft:

"I feel way more confident than I ever was at Baylor," said Jones, who will head for Chicago predraft camp next week like most of the top-level prospects. "Working out three times a day, I feel great. I see the potential I have. I'm actually using the potential I have.

"I've been using it in workouts. They've been going great, playing three-on-three or one-on-one. I do a lot that I normally wouldn't do. I'm just a lot more confident when I'm playing ball."

The Nuggets possess the No. 20 draft pick in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. And for updates from around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Heads To Toronto Raptors In SI Mock Draft

The analysts at Sports Illustrated foresee PG Damian Lillard landing with the Toronto Raptors at the 8th overall pick in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft:

8) TORONTO RAPTORS: PG Damian Lillard Weber State (Jr.) 6-2, 185

Having seen one of Lillard's workouts in Oakland, Calif., recently, I can almost guarantee that he'll be impressing a lot of people as he continues to make the rounds before the draft. He'll have to work his way up draft boards to overcome the doubts about coming from the mid-major Big Sky Conference. He has a great motor and underrated athleticism, he is a creative and reliable scorer, and he would give Toronto's offense some punch as part of the team's possible post-Jose Calderon plan (the veteran point guard has one year left on his contract, worth $10.6 million)...

Lillard ranks as one of the top point guard prospects in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft. The Weber State grad played four seasons in the Big Sky Conference, scoring an average of 18.6 points per game with 4.3 rebounds per game as well.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Lands With New Orleans In SB Nation's Mock

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is one of the top PG prospects in the 2012 NBA Draft, and now that the NBA Draft Lottery is over teams will be honing in the prospects they like best. The landscape will change when draft camps and workouts heat up, but Tom Ziller of SB Nation has already projected the lottery picks in his latest 2012 NBA Mock Draft.

In this version, Lillard comes off the board at No. 10 overall to the New Orleans Hornets, which is one pick before North Carolina PG Kendall Marshall is selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. Here is what Ziller had to say about the Lillard selection:

10. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (via Minnesota): DAMIAN LILLARD

The free agent point guard market is notoriously tough every year; Dell Demps, New Orleans' GM, has to understand this, and should respond accordingly by picking up one of the two top PGs expected to be available in this range. Lillard, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis. That's not a bad rebound haul.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Rated No. 8 Prospect In Draft By ESPN's Doug Gottlieb

ESPN college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb offered his ranking of the top 30 prospects for the upcoming NBA draft on Wednesday, rating Weber State guard Damian Lillard as the eighth-best prospect in the class. In a draft that's lacking an elite point guard prospect like Derrick Rose or John Wall, Lillard stands out:

A scoring point guard who is best off of ball screens, Lillard benefits from both the lack of great point guards in this year's draft and the need for a scoring PG to play right away.

Lillard certainly proved at Weber State that he can put up points in a hurry. Over 34.5 minutes per game in 2012, Lillard put up 24.5 points per game on 47 percent shooting, plus he dished out four assists per game. He's shooting numbers were superb, as he hit 41 percent of his three-point attempts and 89 percent of his free throws.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft 2012: SI.com Lists 5 Lottery Teams That Could Take Damian Lillard

With the NBA Draft Lottery going down on Wednesday night, Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick went through each of the lottery teams to suggest which players they might ultimately target. While many of the worst teams in the NBA already have young point guards, Amick listed five teams that could ultimately snap up the Weber State breakout star in the first dozen or so picks.

Here are the choice quotes that Amick gave for each of the teams regarding Lillard:

• New Orleans Hornets: "Adding point guard Damian Lillard of Weber State with the second pick would make for a potent potential pairing in the backcourt with [Eric] Gordon."
• Sacramento Kings: "If the Kings lose one of their many ball-dominant players by trading [Tyreke] Evans (which is a possibility), they could look for an upgrade at point guard (Lillard or North Carolina's Kendall Marshall could be options) despite the presence of two 2012 rookies, Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette."
• Golden State Warriors: "While Stephen Curry has the point guard duties secured, you have to wonder if his injury history doesn't inspire the Warriors to opt for the hometown hero in Lillard. The Oakland native, whom the Warriors watched in a recent workout, looks ready to score at the next level and run a team."
• Toronto Raptors: "Lillard is a possibility here, too, as the Raptors are looking for offensive firepower after making defensive strides under first-year coach Dwane Casey. With Jose Calderon entering the final year of his sizable deal ($10.6 million next season), they need a point guard for the future to pair with center Andrea Bargnani, fellow big man Jonas Valanciunas and 22-year-old shooting guard DeMar DeRozan."
• Phoenix Suns: "This draft is light on point guards, but Lillard and [Kendall] Marshall would be nice picks if they fell that far ([Tony] Wroten would be an additional option)."
At this point, Lillard is generally considered the top point guard in this year's draft class. The lottery on Wednesday night could ultimately have a major effect on where he ultimately plays given his status as a likely lottery pick.


For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard In Top 10 Of DraftExpress Mock

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard has been impressing scouts and teams in workouts in recent weeks, and it may have pushed him into the top ten of the draft, at least according to the most recent NBA mock draft from DraftExpress.com. In that mock draft, DraftExpress has Lillard going to the New Orleans Hornets at No. 10 overall, who will likely be looking to replace Chris Paul.

That would, at least in DraftExpress' mock, make Lillard the first point guard taken in the draft, ahead of North Carolina's Kendall Marshall, who the website has going one pick later to the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard vs. Marshall isn't quite going to be Greg Oden vs. Kevin Durant, but the two are expected to be taken very close to each other and will likely be compared for quite some time.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft 2012: Lottery Time, TV Coverage And More

The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery will be conducted on Wednesday, May 30, at 6:00 p.m. MT on ESPN. The Denver Nuggets aren't participating because they made the playoffs, but there are plenty of Western Conference foes to keep an eye on, including a couple of division rivals.

Here are the odds each team has of receiving a top three selection:

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more comprehensive draft coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Impresses During 'Grueling' Workouts

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard is probably the best point guard in this year's draft class, but he continues to improve his stock through impressive workouts in front of NBA executives. ESPN's Chad Ford gushed about the 21-year-old during his workout on Saturday afternoon in Oakland.

Lillard going through one of the hardest workouts I've ever seen. Grueling. Zero questions about what kind of shape he's in.

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 26, 2012

Last season, Lillard averaged 24.5 PPG on 47 percent shooting, 5.0 RPG and 4.0 APG while leading Weber State to a 25-7 overall record. Earlier in the year, he wasn't considered an obvious lottery pick, but workouts like the one he had on Saturday continue to move him up draft boards.

Great workout today for @Dame_Lillard Such a hard worker, Great shooter, Good athlete. Strongly believe he's a Top 10 pick.

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 26, 2012

Named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year in 2010 and 2012, now he's simply showing that he's capable of dominating in a similar manner against improved competition.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Will Have Web Series Called 'License To Lillard'

Weber St. Wildcats point guard Damian Lillard is widely projected to be the first or second player at his position to be selected in the 2012 NBA Draft and is almost certainly a lottery pick. But how well does the populace at large know Lillard or Weber State (it's in Ogden, UT)? Lillard plans on releasing a series of YouTube video series titled "License to Lillard." Here's a teaser for it:

Related: 2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Named 'Safe Bet' By Sports Illustrated

Lillard was second in the nation in scoring as a junior with 24.5 points per game. Be sure to follow Lillard's journey to the NBA over the next month. This series will surely offer plenty of great information on one of the lesser-known but highly talented prospects in this year's draft class.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Damian Lillard To Phoenix Suns At No. 13, Says Draft Express

Weber State point guard Damian Lillard led the Wildcats to a 25-7 season as junior, but the competition Lillard is currently facing is more talented than anything he had to deal with in the Big Sky. After posting 24.5 points per game, 5.1 rebounds and four assists last season, Lillard is projected as a potential lottery pick. To get there, he might have to be chosen higher than a host of guards out of bigger programs, including UConn's Jeremy Lamb and North Carolina's Kendall Marshall.

Related: 2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Named 'Safe Bet' By Sports Illustrated

In Draft Express' latest mock, Lillard is tabbed to go No. 13 to the Phoenix Suns.

The pairing makes sense. The Suns could be poised to lose future Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash via free agency, and don't have much depth behind the two-time MVP at the position. It would certainly be a big adjustment for Lillard to go from the Big Sky to playing major minutes in the NBA as a rookie, but the situation in Phoenix could present the opportunity for big minutes early.

Lamb goes No. 10 to New Orleans and Marshall goes No. 14 to Houston in the Draft Express mock.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Named 'Safe Bet' By Sports Illustrated

Damian Lillard burst onto NBA radars as a junior at Weber State this past season by displaying the type of size and scoring punch that is valued at the next level. While Lillard didn't face top competition in the Big Sky, he did prove to be a capable playmaker and someone who's floor could be a high-volume scorer off the bench.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes No. 13 To Phoenix Suns In Latest NBADraft.Net Projection

There's a lot to like about Lillard, which is why he's been talked about as a potential lottery pick. SI's Sam Amick named Lillard one of 11 "safe best" in the 2012 NBA Draft today.

Damian Lillard, Weber State, junior point guard (6-2, 185): With all due respect to Eastern Washington product and current Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey, the Big Sky Conference isn't exactly known for pumping out NBA talent. Lillard is the latest exception, having proved to be one of the nation's best scorers (24.5 points on 46.7 percent shooting). More important for him, he's atop the short list of quality point guards in this draft and could find his way into the top 10 as a result. Lillard is a score-first point guard who can shoot and penetrate, his athleticism is underrated and he's shown good playmaking skills.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes No. 13 To Phoenix Suns In Latest NBADraft.Net Projection

Point guard Damian Lillard exploded onto the radars of NBA scouts this past season by averaging 24.5 points, five rebounds and four assists per night during his junior season at Weber State. Because of his plus-size (6-foot-2) and all-around game, Lillard is now being projected as a potential lottery pick in some circles. The lottery is exactly where a new mock draft by NBADraft.net has the guard.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes To Hornets In SB Nation Projection

In the latest projection from the seminal mock draft site, Lillard goes No. 13 to the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix could be losing longtime face of the franchise Steve Nash this offseason via free agency, so it makes sense the team would be looking to target another young point guard in the draft.

Lillard is expected to compete with North Carolina's Kendall Marshall to become the first point guard taken off the board.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes To Hornets In SB Nation Projection

The 2012 NBA Draft is less than two months, but we are still several weeks away from knowing the final lottery selection order. No matter how that turns out, Weber St. Wildcats guard Damian Lillard is expected to be a lottery pick. And the mock drafts are already showing that. SB Nation's Tom Ziller has released his latest NBA mock draft (lottery only) and has Lillard as the No. 10 overall pick:

10. HORNETS via WOLVES by way of CLIPPERS: Damian Lillard, Weber State

Low turnover rate, high scoring efficiency, good size, the name "Damian" which evokes fear via its Satanic associations ... what's not to like? Now, what exactly is a "Weber State" and where do I find it on my globe?

Remedial Utah geography for everyone if this joke continues to build as we approach the draft. Utah, people, Utah (even if that's not the point of the joke). And no "Weber is not a state" jokes, either.

Lillard is competing with the North Carolina Tar Heels' Kendall Marshall to be the first point guard off the board. In this projection, Marshall goes two picks earlier to Toronto Raptors. Marshall is the third straight Tar Heel off the board and the third of four selected in the lottery. We'll see about Marshall going ahead of Lillard, as the Weber State prospect might be the best point guard in the draft.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Damian Lillard Goes To Raptors At No. 8 In Latest Chad Ford Projection

The 2012 NBA mock draft season is about to heat up with the playoffs underway, but the final lottery slotting won't take place until May 30. However, Weber St. Wildcats point guard Damian Lillard is likely to go in the lottery, potentially as the first point guard off the board. ESPN Insider Chad Ford has Lillard off the board to the Toronto Raptors at No. 8 overall:

The Raptors need help at both the wing and the point. Lillard can play some of both. His versatility and ability to shoot and score the basketball should serve them well.

Lillard averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists during the 2011-12 season, the former second in the nation only to Oakland guard Reggie Hamilton's 25.7 points.

North Carolina's Kendall Marshall could potentially give Lillard a battle to be the first point guard taken, but in this one Marshall lasts until the 10th overall pick to the New Orleans Hornets.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard Declares RS Following Junior Year

The 2012 NBA Draft will have Weber St. Wildcats guard Damian Lillard up for grabs after he declared for the event on Tuesday afternoon, reports the Salt Lake Tribune:

"After the season, I took time to think about everything...after talking with coach Rahe and my family, I decided to declare myself eligible for the 2012 NBA Draft." [Lillard said.]

Lillard averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a red-shirt junior during the 2011-12 season. He received a medical redshirt for the 2010-11 season after a foot injury prevented him from playing after his ninth game of the season.

Lillard is expected to be a lottery pick and is potentially the top point guard in the draft. The Utah Jazz have been projected in mock drafts to take Lillard, providing a young talent to pair with Alec Burks as the future of the back court for the team.

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.

2012 NBA Draft: Damian Lillard To Leave Weber State Early, According To Report

The 2012 NBA Draft will soon have its likely top point guard available enter the event: Weber St. Wildcats junior Damian Lillard is close to declaring his early entry, according to CBS Sports' Gary Parrish. Lillard averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists during the 2011-12 season, leading the Wildcats to a second-place finish in the Big Sky regular season and conference tournament. The team lost in the second round of the CIT to Loyola Marymount.

Lillard is already projected as a lottery pick and the first point guard off the board, at least by ESPN's Chad Ford. This year's draft is not expected to have any elite guards on the level of Kyrie Irving, but Lillard has plenty of time to work his way up draft boards (as well as teams moving around in the lottery).

Check out SB Nation NBA and SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more on the 2012 NBA Draft.