MIAMI (USA) - It’s not every day that a former two-star prospect and an ex-Weber State point guard reaches the NBA, let alone makes six All-Star Games, wins Rookie of the Year and becomes the face of a franchise and city with his dazzling long 3’s and knack for clutch moments.

Well, that’s exactly what Portland Trail Blazers’ point guard Damian Lillard has accomplished thus far in his career.

While the star from Oakland, California is one of the best players in basketball, one area he has yet to make his presence felt is at the Olympic level. That will change at the end of July as Lillard will travel with Team USA to compete in Tokyo in what will be his first-ever appearance in the Olympic Games.

“It'll just be another step in the right direction for my legacy as a basketball player,” Lillard said in an interview with FIBA at training camp in Las Vegas. “I think I accomplished so many things and I worked hard for a lot things that I have reached, but this is one thing I haven’t done. It’s something that is such a big deal and it represents so much more than myself.”

While Lillard realizes this is a chance to build his resume and help the U.S. national team take home gold for the fourth straight time, he also wants to continue to put his hometown of Oakland on the map. In a city made up of greats like Jason Kidd, Bill Russell and Gary Payton, Lillard has a chance to place his name firmly on that list and continue to show out for his hometown.

“Everything that I do, every step further that I take is one more thing for them to be proud of or one more accomplishment that I know I’m carrying on my shoulders,” Lillard said when asked about his deep connection to his old neighborhood in Oakland. “I’m representing all of those people. It’s a special feeling to have this opportunity.”

Reaching that pedestal certainly won’t be a given for the United States, though. Despite heading to Tokyo as the heavy favorite thanks to a roster that features Lillard, Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green and others, Team USA has suffered some hiccups during exhibition play on the West Coast.

They had surprising, back-to-back losses to Nigeria and Australia and had some struggles with sloppy offensive play in the first half vs. Spain. While the first two results were eye opening, Lillard says this is typical of a team bringing together such high caliber players into one setting.

“Obviously, most of us are the No. 1 option on our teams, so to come together with a bunch of other star players and guys who can do what you can do, it’s natural to not want to step on somebodies toes,” Lillard said.

“These teams have been together for years and they’ve been in camp much longer than we have. So with most of us coming out of the playoffs and not playing much pick-up until we got here, we’re still getting our bodies in shape.”

The flashes of greatness are certainly there as the United States did beat Argentina by 28 and came back in the second half to defeat Spain -- one of their fiercest rivals on the international scene -- by seven. Their talent will always be greater than their opponent and having a point guard like Lillard, who has experience, can run the show calmly and successfully and has swagger in big moments on large stages, only gives Gregg Popovich’s squad another leg up.

Ultimately, whether or not Lillard helps guide the United States to gold, his authenticity, discipline and story is something young adults and children across the globe will look up to.
“I’m not the most talented,” the point guard said. “I’m not the most gifted in size and athleticism and length, but I’m a thinker, I’m a smart person, I treat people the right way and I work hard.”

Now, that kid from Oakland, who was on no big school’s radar coming out of high school and played his college hoops in the Big Sky, has a true chance to guide the biggest hoops country on the planet to Olympic glory.

FIBA