Caron Butler facts for kids
Butler in 2023
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| Miami Heat | ||||||||||||||
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| Assistant coach | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
| Born | March 13, 1980 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | |||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 228 lb (103 kg) | |||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||
| College | UConn (2000–2002) | |||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall | |||||||||||||
| Selected by the Miami Heat | ||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 2002–2016 | |||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 2020–present | |||||||||||||
| League | NBA | |||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||
| As player: | ||||||||||||||
| 2002–2004 | Miami Heat | |||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Los Angeles Lakers | |||||||||||||
| 2005–2010 | Washington Wizards | |||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Dallas Mavericks | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Los Angeles Clippers | |||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Milwaukee Bucks | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | Oklahoma City Thunder | |||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Detroit Pistons | |||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Sacramento Kings | |||||||||||||
| As coach: | ||||||||||||||
| 2020–present | Miami Heat (assistant) | |||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Points | 12,430 (14.1 ppg) | |||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 4,387 (5.0 rpg) | |||||||||||||
| Assists | 2,007 (2.3 apg) | |||||||||||||
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Medals
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James Caron Butler (born March 13, 1980) is an American professional basketball coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his 14 years in the NBA, he played for many teams, including the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks. Butler was chosen as an NBA All-Star two times. He was also named the Big East Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 2002 while playing for the Connecticut Huskies.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Caron Butler grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. He had a difficult childhood. Butler found his love for basketball while at a youth detention center. He played in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball in 1998 and 1999. After a short time at Racine Park High School, Butler went to Maine Central Institute. There, he played well enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Connecticut. He played for the Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team under coach Jim Calhoun for two years.
College Basketball Career
At the University of Connecticut, Butler worked hard to improve his game. He lost weight and became better at shooting from outside. As a freshman, Butler was a top player for the Huskies. He led the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game and rebounds with 7.6 per game. In the summer after his first year, he played for the US team. They won a gold medal at the 2001 FIBA World Championship for Young Men.
Butler got even better in his second year. He averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He helped the Huskies win both the regular season and tournament titles in the Big East Conference. He was named the Big East tournament MVP and co-Big East Player of the Year. He also earned second-team All-American honors. Butler led the Huskies to the Elite 8 round of the NCAA basketball tournament. In that game, he scored 32 points, but his team lost to the Maryland Terrapins. After this successful season, Butler decided to enter the NBA draft.
NBA Career Highlights
Starting with the Miami Heat (2002–2004)
The Miami Heat chose Caron Butler as the 10th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. As a rookie, Butler played a big role for the team. He started all 78 games he played in his first season. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. Butler won rookie-of-the-month awards four times. He was also chosen for the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
In his second season, Butler faced some injuries. His scoring average went down to 9.2 points. However, the Heat made it to the playoffs. They won a tough seven-game series against the New Orleans Hornets. In Game 7, Butler scored 23 points. The Heat then played the top-seeded Indiana Pacers. Miami lost that series in six games. After this season, Butler was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a trade for superstar Shaquille O'Neal.
Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers (2004–2005)
Butler joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2004–05 season. He started all 77 games he played. He averaged 15.5 points per game. The Lakers struggled with injuries that season and did not make the playoffs. Butler was later traded to the Washington Wizards.
Time with the Washington Wizards (2005–2010)
In Washington, Butler signed a five-year contract. He became part of the Wizards' "Big 3" with teammates Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. Coach Eddie Jordan nicknamed him "Tough Juice." This was because of his strong and energetic style of play.
In 2007, Butler was chosen as an NBA All-Star for the first time. This was his best season yet, with career-high averages in rebounds, assists, and points. He broke his hand late in the season and missed the playoffs. The Wizards were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the 2007-08 season, Butler was again selected as an All-Star. He missed some games due to a hip injury but returned to play.
Dallas Mavericks and an NBA Championship (2010–2011)
In February 2010, Butler was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks made it to the playoffs that year. However, they lost in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs.
In January 2011, Butler had surgery for a leg injury. This meant he could not play for the rest of the 2010–11 season. Even though he was injured, the Mavericks went on to win the 2011 NBA Finals. They defeated the Miami Heat to claim their first NBA championship.
Later Career and Retirement
After the Mavericks, Butler played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2011 to 2013. He helped the Clippers reach the playoffs twice. He then played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2013–14 season. Butler also played for the Detroit Pistons and the Sacramento Kings. He officially announced his retirement from playing basketball on February 6, 2018.
Coaching Career
On November 14, 2020, the Miami Heat announced that they hired Caron Butler as an assistant coach. He continues to work with the team.
Other Activities and Interests
In 2015, Caron Butler released his autobiography called Tuff Juice. In 2019, actor Mark Wahlberg became an executive producer for a movie about Butler's life, also called Tuff Juice.
Butler has also been involved in other areas. In 2017, he worked as a commentator for Global Mixed Gender Basketball (GMGB). This league allows men and women to play together. He also owns a team in this league called the Wisconsin Cheeseheads. Butler joined ESPN and later FS1 as an NBA analyst, sharing his basketball knowledge.
Personal Life
Caron Butler is a Christian. He found strength and guidance by reading the Bible during a difficult time in his youth. He believes that basketball was a gift from God that helped him change his life.
Butler is known for his kindness. In 2007, he attended a surprise birthday party for a 16-year-old fan. He also owns six Burger King restaurants. He has taken Business Management classes at Duke University.
Caron is the son of Mattie Claybrook Paden. He is married to Andrea Pink Butler, whom he met at UConn. They have three daughters together. Butler also has a daughter and son from a previous relationship.
Images for kids
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Butler in 2007
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Butler dunking the ball
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Butler shooting a free throw
See also
In Spanish: Caron Butler para niños
