Damian Lillard to fulfill promise to mom, graduate college

In just three NBA seasons, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has already racked up an impressive list of achievements: Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, All-NBA third-teamer and honorary title of coldest crunch-time shooter in the game. 

But when he left Weber State University to enter the NBA draft in 2012, he left something unclaimed - a diploma.  

Lillard revealed early this week that, to fulfill a promise made to his mother, he has completed all the necessary coursework to graduate this spring. 

"I had to take some tests and test out of some classes," Lillard said, according to Sports Illustrated. "I was kind of nervous because I hadn't been in school for so long."

According to the Weber State Signpost, Lillard was six credits shy of a degree in technical sales, but found time to finish his courses during the offseason.

"This was a lot of hard work for me, and I am excited that it has finally come to an end," Lillard said. "Growing up, this was one of the things I never really saw myself having an opportunity to achieve, and it’s a small dream come true.

"This degree and Weber State mean so much to me. I don’t have any plans to continue further right now, due to my career, but I am honored to have a diploma from WSU to take with me wherever I go. It is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life."

Lillard will receive his diploma on May 1, The Signpost reports, though there is a qualifier: "Barring any postseason conflicts." 

Apparently Lillard doesn't intend to answer questions for the rest of his career about whether accepting his degree on the day of an important playoff game caused him to miss a potential game-winning shot.