Butler Signs With Spurs
March 26, 2011 10:39 AM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Former West Virginia University standout Da'Sean Butler has signed with the San Antonio Spurs, the team announced Friday.
The 6-7 forward will be placed on San Antonio's inactive roster, meaning he is able to practice with the team but cannot play in games.
Butler was the 42nd overall selection in the second round of last summer's NBA draft by the Miami Heat but was waived during training camp when had not fully recovered from the left knee injury he suffered in last year's Final Four game against Duke.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Florida Sun-Sentinel that Butler's injury forced them to make the move.
"That's part of the business and we don't have the flexibility right now in our roster," Spoelstra said. "San Antonio did. From a personal standpoint, we are happy for Da'Sean."
Butler averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in earning first team all-Big East and second team All-America honors for the Mountaineers in 2010.
For his career Butler scored 2,095 points, ranking third in school history behind Jerry West and Hot Rod Hundley. He also ranks among school leaders in career double-figure scoring games (1st, 108), field goals (3rd, 741), three-pointers (4th, 205), free throws (5th, 408), rebounds (11th, 800) and steals (12th, 154).
He will wear jersey #1 for the Spurs and will likely see action with the Spurs' Austin Toros D-League team.
Butler's former WVU teammate Joe Alexander is playing in the D-League with the Texas Legends where he leads the team in scoring (19.3 ppg.) and second on the team in rebounding (8.9 rpg.).
“This signing has absolutely nothing to do with the 2010-11 roster,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford told the San Antonio Express Friday. “I’d imagine he will be assigned to Austin soon. We need to get an understanding of his situation. We’ll get together with him this weekend, spend some time with him and go over his medical and physical needs.”
Terms of the deal were not released.
The 6-7 forward will be placed on San Antonio's inactive roster, meaning he is able to practice with the team but cannot play in games.
Butler was the 42nd overall selection in the second round of last summer's NBA draft by the Miami Heat but was waived during training camp when had not fully recovered from the left knee injury he suffered in last year's Final Four game against Duke.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Florida Sun-Sentinel that Butler's injury forced them to make the move.
"That's part of the business and we don't have the flexibility right now in our roster," Spoelstra said. "San Antonio did. From a personal standpoint, we are happy for Da'Sean."
Butler averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in earning first team all-Big East and second team All-America honors for the Mountaineers in 2010.
For his career Butler scored 2,095 points, ranking third in school history behind Jerry West and Hot Rod Hundley. He also ranks among school leaders in career double-figure scoring games (1st, 108), field goals (3rd, 741), three-pointers (4th, 205), free throws (5th, 408), rebounds (11th, 800) and steals (12th, 154).
He will wear jersey #1 for the Spurs and will likely see action with the Spurs' Austin Toros D-League team.
Butler's former WVU teammate Joe Alexander is playing in the D-League with the Texas Legends where he leads the team in scoring (19.3 ppg.) and second on the team in rebounding (8.9 rpg.).
“This signing has absolutely nothing to do with the 2010-11 roster,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford told the San Antonio Express Friday. “I’d imagine he will be assigned to Austin soon. We need to get an understanding of his situation. We’ll get together with him this weekend, spend some time with him and go over his medical and physical needs.”
Terms of the deal were not released.
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