Rasual Butler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rasual Butler

Butler in 2009
Personal information
Born	(1979-05-23)May 23, 1979 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 31, 2018(2018-01-31) (aged 38) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
High school	Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	La Salle (1998–2002)
NBA Draft	2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 53rd overall
Selected by the Miami Heat
Pro career	2002–2016
Career history
2002–2005	Miami Heat
2005–2009	New Orleans Hornets
2009–2011	Los Angeles Clippers
2011	Chicago Bulls
2011–2012	Toronto Raptors
2012–2013	Tulsa 66ers
2013–2014	Indiana Pacers
2014–2015	Washington Wizards
2015–2016	San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights and awards
NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year (2013) 2× First-team All-Atlantic 10 (2001, 2002) Third-team Parade All-American (1998)

Rasual Butler (born Felix Rasual Cheeseborough; May 23, 1979 – January 31, 2018) was an American professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 years. During his career, he played for teams like the Miami Heat, New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, and San Antonio Spurs.

Early Life and Name Change

Rasual Butler was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His birth name was Felix Rasual Cheeseborough. When he was eight years old, his father passed away. To help him cope and not be constantly reminded of his loss, his mother, Cheryl Taylor, changed his name to Rasual Butler. She used her own mother's maiden name, Butler.

College Basketball Career

Butler played college basketball for the La Salle Explorers. He was a very successful player there, scoring over 2,000 points in his college career. At the time he was added to the La Salle University Hall of Athletes, he was the fourth-highest scorer in the team's history with 2,125 points.

He was recognized for his skills by being named to the First Team All-Atlantic 10 in both 2001 and 2002. In 2002, he was also chosen for the Verizon Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship All-Tournament team. La Salle University honored him by adding him to their Hall of Athletes in 2008.

Professional Basketball Journey

Starting with the Miami Heat (2002–2005)

Rasual Butler began his NBA career when the Miami Heat picked him as the 53rd player in the 2002 NBA draft.

Playing for the New Orleans Hornets (2005–2009)

After three seasons with the Heat, Butler was part of a huge trade in NBA history. He moved to the New Orleans Hornets. This trade involved four teams and 13 players, making it one of the biggest deals ever.

During the 2007–08 season, Butler usually came off the bench as a substitute player. He played about 17 minutes per game and scored nearly 5 points.

Time with the Los Angeles Clippers (2009–2011)

Butler with the Clippers in 2009

On August 12, 2009, the Los Angeles Clippers got Butler in a trade. He played for them until February 28, 2011, when he was released.

Short Stays with Other Teams (2011–2012)

Butler signed with the Chicago Bulls on March 3, 2011. Later that year, in August 2011, he signed a contract with a Spanish team called CB Gran Canaria, but he never played a game for them.

In December 2011, Butler joined the Toronto Raptors. He played 34 games for them, averaging 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds. He was released by the Raptors in March 2012.

Becoming an Impact Player in the D-League (2013)

On January 18, 2013, Butler joined the Tulsa 66ers in the NBA Development League (now called the G-League). He made such a big difference that he was named the 2013 Impact Player of the Year. This award goes to a player who joins a team during the season and makes the greatest contribution.

Back in the NBA: Indiana Pacers (2013–2014)

After his success in the D-League, Butler signed with the Indiana Pacers on September 27, 2013. He played 50 games for them, averaging 2.7 points.

Contributing to the Washington Wizards (2014–2015)

On September 29, 2014, Butler signed with the Washington Wizards. He had a strong preseason and earned a spot on the team. He became an important player coming off the bench for the Wizards during the 2014–15 season.

Final NBA Season with the San Antonio Spurs (2015–2016)

Butler signed with the San Antonio Spurs on September 28, 2015. His last NBA game was on March 8, 2016, in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was released by the Spurs the next day. He averaged 2.7 points in 46 games for them.

In September 2016, he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves again, but he was released before the regular season started.

Playing in the BIG3 League

In 2017, Rasual Butler joined the BIG3 basketball league, which features 3-on-3 games with former NBA players. He first played for the Ball Hogs team and was later traded to the Power team during the season.

Player Skills

Rasual Butler was known for his excellent outside shooting, especially his three-point shots. Throughout his career, he shot about 36 percent from beyond the three-point line. In the 2003–04 NBA season, he was especially good, making 46 percent of his three-pointers. His best season for three-pointers was 2006–07, when he made 134 shots from long range.

Personal Life

Rasual Butler had a daughter named Raven, who lived with him. He also appeared in a music video for the singer Trina called "Here We Go". Butler was good friends with fellow NBA player Lamar Odom and was seen on Odom's television show Khloé & Lamar.

Passing Away

On January 31, 2018, Rasual Butler and his partner, singer Leah LaBelle, tragically passed away in a car accident in Los Angeles, California.

Images for kids

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  Butler in 2009

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  Butler with the Clippers in 2009

See Also

In Spanish: Rasual Butler para niños