Weber State University has produced athletes who have reached the highest levels in professional sports, with alumni excelling in the NBA and NFL. Dillon Jones, Damian Lillard, Taron Johnson, Winston Reid and Rasheed Shaheed are among those representing Weber State in major professional leagues.
Damian Lillard: The Wildcat icon in Milwaukee
Damian Lillard, after forgoing his senior season in 2012 to enter the NBA Draft, finished his Weber State career second on the all-time scoring list with 1,934 points. He set multiple records, including career 3-pointers made (246), free throws made (520), and free throw percentage (86%). Lillard’s junior year featured a school record 24.5 points per game, and he led the nation in free throws made (228). Lillard earned two Big Sky MVP awards, two Weber State Male Athlete of the Year honors and All-American recognition in 2012.
In the NBA, Lillard joined the Milwaukee Bucks, continuing his scoring presence alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dillon Jones: A new chapter in Oklahoma City
Dillon Jones was selected as the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, making him the second Weber State player to be selected in the first round after Damian Lillard. Jones was named the 2024 Big Sky MVP, averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. He led the nation as the only player to top his conference in points, rebounds and assists and was a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. With over 119 career games, Jones set Weber State’s all-time steals record, ranking second in assists, third in rebounds and fifth in scoring. Jones became one of only four NCAA players since 1992-93 to achieve 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals. He recorded 18 double-doubles in his final season.
Taron Johnson: Buffalo’s defensive star
Taron Johnson was named a second-team All-Pro in 2023 after recording 65 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 12 games for the Buffalo Bills. Johnson missed four games due to a forearm injury but still made significant contributions to the team’s defense.
Winston Reid: Cleveland’s rising force
Winston Reid, after a standout career at Weber State, signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. Reid earned two All-American honors and was named to the first team All-Big Sky twice. He recorded 281 career tackles, 170 of them solo, and ranks second in school history for solo tackles and tied for the all-time lead in forced fumbles. Reid also earned National Player of the Week honors for his performance against Idaho in 2023, where he recorded 17 tackles. In his first NFL season, Reid recorded 23 combined tackles, including 14 solo tackles, half a sack and two pass deflections. His performance has contributed to the Browns’ defensive strength.
Rasheed Shaheed: Electrifying in New Orleans
Rasheed Shaheed concluded his career at Weber State in 2021 as the all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns with seven. He earned All-American honors four times and became the first player in Big Sky history to be named first-team All-Conference in three positions: kick returner, punt returner and wide receiver. Shaheed ranks third in Weber State history for all-purpose yards (5,478), third in punt return yards and seventh in receiving yards (2,178) with 18 touchdowns. In his senior season, he broke the FCS record for career kickoff return touchdowns.
Shaheed continued his football career in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Despite a meniscus surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023 season, Shaheed totaled 20 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns in six games.