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Damian Lillard wins NBA All-Star 3-point contest while wearing Weber State jersey

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press | Feb 18, 2023

Rob Gray, Associated Press

While wearing a Weber State jersey custom-made by Ogden's Coleman Knitting Mills, Portland's Damian Lillard shoots during the NBA All-Star 3-point contest on Feb. 18, 2023, in Salt Lake City.

SALT LAKE CITY — Damian Lillard represented his school and his brand.

And he did them both proud.

The Portland star won the 3-point contest at the NBA’s All-Star Saturday, topping Indiana teammates Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in the final round.

Lillard wore a Weber State jersey with “Dolla” on the back. Weber State is his college; he performs music under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A. And when he got the trophy, he had a Blazers warmup shirt on for that moment.

“They say the third time’s the charm,” said Lillard, who got his first 3-point title in his third try at the event. “And I’m happy that it happened here. It’s a perfect situation. I’m happy that I did it in my home, coming back here to Utah.”

Rob Gray, Associated Press

Portland's Damian Lillard raises the trophy for winning the NBA All-Star 3-point contest Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Salt Lake City.

Lillard won the final round with 26 points. Hield had 25 and Haliburton scored 17.

Lillard played his college games in Ogden, Utah, about a half-hour outside of Salt Lake City.

“I feel like everything just lined up,” Lillard said. “A lot of family, a lot of friends here, people that I’m still in touch with. When I touch down here in the summer, whether I’m going back for the alumni game or just going to train, or this time, I feel the love. I know I’m welcome here … sometimes that’s what it takes for an experience to be what it’s supposed to be. This is how it was supposed to happen.”

And the historic ramification of finally getting a 3-point title wasn’t lost on him.

“The best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these,” Lillard said as he held the trophy. “I just wanted to get it done at least one time. And now I have it, so I can retire from it.”

Haliburton won the first round with 31 points. Lillard had 26, and Hield had 23.

Eliminated in the first round were Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, Miami’s Tyler Herro, New York’s Julius Randle and Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter.

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