Rasual Butler was a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 14 seasons. He was born on May 23, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended La Salle University. Butler was selected by the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft, and he made his NBA debut in the 2002-2003 season.
Butler played for several NBA teams during his career, including the Miami Heat, New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, and San Antonio Spurs. He was known for his ability to shoot from beyond the arc and was a reliable scorer off the bench.
Butler's best season came in 2009-2010 when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers. He started 62 games that season and averaged 11.9 points per game while shooting 38.7% from three-point range. He also set a career-high in scoring with 33 points in a game against the New York Knicks.
Throughout his career, Butler was known for his professionalism and work ethic. He was a respected veteran in the locker room and was often praised for his leadership and mentorship of younger players. He was also active in the community and was involved in several charitable organizations.
Butler's NBA career came to an end in 2016 when he was waived by the San Antonio Spurs. He finished his career with averages of 7.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 36.2% from three-point range. He played in a total of 809 NBA games and made 423 starts.
Tragically, Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle, were killed in a car accident in January 2018. Butler was just 38 years old at the time of his death, and his passing was mourned by the NBA community and fans around the world. He was remembered as a talented player, a respected veteran, and a beloved teammate and friend.
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