Adjusting to a new team amidst personal turmoil

Damian Lillard with the Bucks

Last summer, Damian Lillard‘s move to the Milwaukee Bucks may have grabbed headlines, but it’s his personal struggles that have truly tested him.

Splitting from his college sweetheart, Kay’La Lillard, with whom he shares three children, has been a deeply painful experience. The messy details of their breakup, including harsh demands and public revelations, have only added to his challenges.

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This week, Lillard opened up about his difficult journey, acknowledging the toll his personal life has taken.

“As much as I love basketball, and I love my job, I don’t care about it more than I care about my kids. Of course you carry it with you,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports.

“People say, ‘When I hoop I ain’t thinking about nothing,’ but I’m not 21. I got three kids. I’m tight with my family and I’m going through a divorce.

“[I did] stuff that wouldn’t make me feel overwhelmed. It can be because we all got feelings. We all have stuff we really care about, near and dear to our heart. I’m happy I’m a stable person, I got solid people around me.

“It’s probably been the hardest transition in my life, all things considered.”

Adapting to new environment

Adjusting to a new team amidst such turmoil is undoubtedly challenging, but the Bucks have championship aspirations, and Lillard’s arrival is part of that pursuit. With the organization’s all-in approach, including potential big-name additions, the pressure is on for a title.