Lamar Butler
Encyclopedia
Lamar Edward Butler, Jr. (born December 21, 1983) is an American
basketball
player for the Reno
Bighorns of the NBA Development League
. He was a starting guard for the Patriots
of George Mason University
during the Patriots' surprising run to the Final Four
. He is the cousin of Mavericks
guard/forward Caron Butler
.
. Following GMU's stunning 86-84 overtime victory against the top-seeded UConn Huskies
in the Washington D.C. Regional Final, Butler was named the region's Most Valuable Player
. He scored 13 points against Michigan State
in the first round, 18 points against North Carolina
in the second round, 14 points against Wichita State
in the Sweet Sixteen, and 19 points against UConn.
After the regional final, Butler and his father were in tears as they hugged in length on the court. It hearkened memories of Butler's recruiting by GMU, during which he brashly predicted to Coach Jim Larranaga
that he would lead the Patriots to the Final Four.
"I think I was joking when I said that," Butler said. "I started dreaming when I got to college. It shows you anything can happen."
Butler and the Patriots then headed to Indianapolis, where they faced the Florida Gators
, led by Minnesota Regional MVP Joakim Noah
. To the dismay of many across the country rooting for the team leading one of the greatest Cinderella stories
in sports history, George Mason was defeated by Florida in the Final Four 73-58 on Saturday, April 1st, 2006. In his final game as an NCAA athlete, Butler played 36 minutes where he scored 8 points (4 of 7 FGs, 0 of 2 3PTs) had 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. He will remain etched in NCAA basketball lore for the role he played in George Mason's run.
He averaged 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during the 2005–2006 season.
only to have the deal revoked. As of March, 2007, he is playing with BK Prostejov
in the Czech Republic
at $8,000 a month.
During the 2008-09 season, Lamar has played 23 games for the NBA Development League
's Colorado 14ers
where he is averaging 15 minutes, 6 points and 2 assists per game.
On March 5, 2009 he was waived by Colorado and a few days later picked up by the Reno Bighorns.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player for the Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
Bighorns of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. He was a starting guard for the Patriots
George Mason Patriots
The George Mason Patriots are the athletic teams of George Mason University. The school's athletic program includes 22 NCAA Division I varsity sports, consisting of 11 men's and 11 women's teams...
of George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
during the Patriots' surprising run to the Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
. He is the cousin of Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
guard/forward Caron Butler
Caron Butler
James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler , is an American professional basketball player who most recently played at small forward for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.-Early life:...
.
College career
During George Mason's captivating run through the NCAA tournament, Butler became a symbol of Cinderella and the tournament collectively with his tenacious heart and infectious smile and was featured on the cover of the March 27, 2006 Sports IllustratedSports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
. Following GMU's stunning 86-84 overtime victory against the top-seeded UConn Huskies
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
in the Washington D.C. Regional Final, Butler was named the region's Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
. He scored 13 points against Michigan State
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in the first round, 18 points against North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in the second round, 14 points against Wichita State
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
in the Sweet Sixteen, and 19 points against UConn.
After the regional final, Butler and his father were in tears as they hugged in length on the court. It hearkened memories of Butler's recruiting by GMU, during which he brashly predicted to Coach Jim Larranaga
Jim Larranaga
James Larranaga is an American college basketball coach and the head coach of the University of Miami men's basketball program. He was most notably the men's basketball coach of George Mason where he coached the Patriots to 13 consecutive winning seasons and became a media sensation during the...
that he would lead the Patriots to the Final Four.
"I think I was joking when I said that," Butler said. "I started dreaming when I got to college. It shows you anything can happen."
Butler and the Patriots then headed to Indianapolis, where they faced the Florida Gators
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
, led by Minnesota Regional MVP Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah
Joakim Simon Noah is a professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association . Born in New York City to a Swedish mother and French father, he holds American, Swedish and French citizenship...
. To the dismay of many across the country rooting for the team leading one of the greatest Cinderella stories
Cinderella (sports)
In American and Canadian sports, a Cinderella or "Cinderella Story" refers to a team or player who advances much further in a tournament or career than originally anticipated. Cinderellas tend to gain much media and fan attention as they move closer to the championship game at the end of the...
in sports history, George Mason was defeated by Florida in the Final Four 73-58 on Saturday, April 1st, 2006. In his final game as an NCAA athlete, Butler played 36 minutes where he scored 8 points (4 of 7 FGs, 0 of 2 3PTs) had 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. He will remain etched in NCAA basketball lore for the role he played in George Mason's run.
He averaged 12.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during the 2005–2006 season.
Professional career
Since graduating, Butler was offered to join the summer league for the Washington WizardsWashington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
only to have the deal revoked. As of March, 2007, he is playing with BK Prostejov
BK Prostejov
BK Prostějov is a professional basketball club from Prostějov, Czech Republic. They play in the NBL.-Team Roster 2009–2010:...
in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
at $8,000 a month.
During the 2008-09 season, Lamar has played 23 games for the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
's Colorado 14ers
Colorado 14ers
The Colorado 14ers were a team in the NBA Development League which began play in 2006-07. They were affiliated with the Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors of the NBA. The 14ers played their home games at the Broomfield Event Center in the Denver suburb of Broomfield, Colorado. ...
where he is averaging 15 minutes, 6 points and 2 assists per game.
On March 5, 2009 he was waived by Colorado and a few days later picked up by the Reno Bighorns.
See also
- George Mason Patriots men's basketballGeorge Mason Patriots men's basketballThe George Mason Patriots men's basketball team represents George Mason University and competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of NCAA Division I...
- 2005-06 George Mason Patriots men's basketball season
- 2004-05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team2004-05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball teamThe 2004–05 George Mason Patriots men's basketball team began their 39th season of collegiate play on November 11, 2004 versus Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne at the Coaches vs...