Former Patriot Joins NBA D-League Team

By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan

Exactly three years ago, Lamar Butler and the radiant expression on his face
represented George Mason University on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Butler, who played overseas in 2007, looks to revive his basketball career with the Reno Bighorns in the NBA Development League.

He joined the Bighorns on March 10 after starting the 2008-09 season with the
Colorado 14ers. He averaged 6.6 points per game and shot 43.5 percent from the field in 26 games with the 14ers. This season, Butler scored in doubledigits seven times including a season-high 14 points against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Since joining the Bighorns, Butler averaged 8.5 points per game. He shot just 3-of-9 for eight points in his debut against the Bakersfield Jam.

“I love it [with the Bighorns] since the coaches let me play. I was able to play against the good teams [while with the 14ers], but against the sorry teams, I didn’t get much time to play. It was time for me to move on,” said Butler.

From the get-go, Butler showed signs of being a star at Mason. He averaged 10.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game as a freshman. Like former teammate John Vaughan, Butler earned a medical redshirt in his sophomore year after receiving CAA-All Rookie team honors. He had a strong 2003-04 season, but was even stronger in his junior year as he led the team with 15.7 points per game and shot 43.1 percent from behind the arc. He scorched the Morehead State University
Eagles with a career-best 36 points, and also became the 24th Mason player to reach the 1,000-point plateau in his career.

Butler averaged 12 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game in his final season at
Mason. His 1,488 points ranks 12th among all Mason players, but Butler’s 295 career 3-pointers remain uncontested at the top.

Butler has been surrounded by strong, supportive teammates throughout his career. While at Mason, the team of Butler, Jai Lewis, Tony Skinn, Will Thomas and Folarin
Campbell led the school to one of the most surprising runs in sports history.

“It was one of the best teams on the court and off the court. We were friends on and
off the court. We did everything together,” said Butler, referring to his former Mason teammates.

After knocking off three former national champions, Mason fell in the Final Four game against the University of Florida Gators, who eventually won the NCAA Tournament that year.

“I don’t think we were aggressive enough during that game. I think about [coming so
close to winning it all] all the time, especially now because I have two teammates who have won national championships. David Noel won it while with North Carolina and Russell Robinson with Kansas,” said Butler.

Since graduating from Mason, Butler received an invitation to try out in the summer league with the Washington Wizards, but that had to be cut short as the team
did not have a spot for Butler.

“The Wizards and the [Charlotte] Bobcats offered me summer league spots. But
unfortunately, as summer league started, the Wizards called me back and told me,
‘Never mind,’ so I didn’t even get to play. By the time I was trying to get on the Bobcats, they were full. I talked to my agent, and I might try to play summer league this year,” said Butler.

He played with the BK Prostejov basketball club in the Czech Republic despite
languishing over playing time. While in a foreign land, Butler met former Michigan
State star Mateen Cleaves. Even though the two never played against each other prior to their first meeting, Cleaves was able to provide Butler with some insight.

“I played against [Cleaves] while in a tournament in Lithuania and he was with
Russia. He saw that I was being frustrated with my coach. My coach restricted me on the floor not because I couldn’t play, but just because I was a rookie. He was right about being patient and sticking with it because I got better since then,” said
Butler.

Ironically, Cleaves also returned to the United States and currently plays for the Jam
as the two reunited in Butler’s first game with the Bighorns. “Even when we play against each other, he would give me pointers,” said Butler of Cleaves.

Butler joins a team that is equipped with former college basketball stars, including
Patrick Ewing, Jr. The Bighorns are currently sitting in fourth in the West Division with a 16-21 record, but they have won four of their last five games after starting off the season 1-12.

“Coaches give me an opportunity to play, and I’ve got to show them that I can play.
When I play my game, my teammates will find me and I will be able to make some open shots. I have plenty of opportunity to play under this coach,” said Butler after scoring a career-high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting against the Anaheim Arsenal last week.

For Butler, there is still more basketball to be played. The show must go on.