From Being Homeless To One Of Most Successful NBA Players
Jimmy Butler III, one of the most successful and well-known players of the modern NBA was born on 14th September 1989 in Houston, Texas United States. He is known by the nickname Jimmy Buckets in the professional circuit. The modern-day basketball star’s ascent to fame has never been smooth sailing. Jimmy was born into a poor family and was not appreciated and kicked off the house at the early age of 13. But the poverty and hardships didn’t keep him at bay. Butler grinded hard and chased his dream of playing basketball at the highest level despite a plethora of problems. Jimmy is one of the most sought out players in the modern NBA.
Jimmy Butler’s Early Childhood And Braving Poverty
He was born to Jimmy Butler II and Londa Butler. His father was a working class person while his mother worked as a medical office receptionist. At times she also worked as a caregiver at Tomball Texas.
Jimmy had a rough childhood after his father abandoned his family. Miseries amassed for him when his mother kicked him out of the home at the early age of 13. In an interview in 2011, he recalled that his mother told him “I don’t like the looks of you. You gotta go”. It was a time when he had to go to school and focus on his studies but never so.
However, he didn’t give up on life after being expelled from home. He could have used unfair means to live life. But he made a tough choice. Butler used miseries as a foundation to excel in life. His love for basketball kept his hopes alive for living a successful life. Butler didn’t want the sympathies of people but an opportunity to make a name for himself on his own.
Michelle Lambert Taking In Jimmy
After being expelled from his house, Jimmy went staying from one friend’s home to another. He had a high school friend Jordan Leslie who also played in the NFL (National Football League) for Denver Broncos.
At Tomball high school he was challenged to a 3-pointer by Jordan Leslie. Jordan was observing Jimmy’s skills on the court for a long. Afterward, the two became friends. The duo would spend at Lambert’s house staying all night and playing video games.
It was Jordan Leslie’s mother Michelle Lambert who decided to take in Jimmy realizing he has nowhere to go. Michelle had four kids from her late husband and 3 three from her new husband yet she decided to support Jimmy. He was a hardworking boy who would also do house chores and improve his grades at school.
Becoming part of a family helped Butler focus on playing basketball and later on making it to the NBA. The Lambert family has stood by Butler through thick and thin.
Butler’s mother Michelle Lambert has praised him for his hard work. She said that he didn’t give up on his dreams and life despite poverty staring into his eyes. He set an example for young kids to be followed.
High School Career Of Jimmy Butler
At Tomball High School he aspired to play basketball at the highest level. While at school he averaged 10 points each game. In 2006-07 he was named captain of the Tomball High School. He averaged 19.9 points and was voted as the most valuable player on the team.
Although, Butler was a talented player yet he was not at his best. After high school, he chooses to attend Tyler Junior College in Texas.
Jimmy Butler’s Career At Tyler Junior College
During his first year at the college, he averaged 18.1 points per game. He drew interest from Division I programs. In 2008, he was listed as the N.o 127 Junior College prospect by 247Sports.com.
Butler was offered a scholarship by Marquette University in Wisconsin. It was for the first time that Jimmy had to stay outside Texas. Being homesick he considered quitting the contract to move back to Texas. But his mom backed him advising that he should avail the opportunity.
He played 106 games for the Marquette. He averaged 12.0 points per game. In 2008-09 his per-game average was 5.6 each game and 3.9 rebounds per game. Jimmy was a much-improved player in the second season. In 2009-10 he scored 14.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Jimmy Butler Coming To Prominence
Jimmy Butler peaked at the right time. He came to the limelight with his two game-winning shots against St. John’s and UConn to lead his team to victory 11-7 in the Big East. In the season 2010-11 as a senior, he averaged a score of 15.7 points per game earning him All-Big East honourable mention for consecutive two years.
Butler Considered Quitting Playing At Marquette
The Marquette coach spotted a player who training hard than other players. Although Butler was an unranked player, Marquette decided to give him a scholarship. It was never easy for Butler to play at the Marquette. Marquette’s head coach Buzz Williams gave tough time to Butler; consistently tested his fitness and skills.
Assistant to coach Dale Layer of Marquette, he would always tell me ‘Coach I am quitting’. And I was like “Jimmy just come back tomorrow, just come back tomorrow”. And when he was about to quit he said “Buzz is trying to run me up out of here”. I would say “Yeah because you are a good player Jimmy but you are not in shape and you are not tough enough, and he’s got to get the best out of you”
Jimmy trained hard at Marquette and polished his skills. Marquette coach William said that as his career progressed he would come to him and say ‘You going to be soft today or you going to be hard?’ And he would reply ‘I have got it’. Jimmy wanted to be coached hard and he meant it. He had his eyes on the biggest basketball stage.
Professional Career Of Jimmy Butler
After graduating from the college in 2011 he was drafted by NBA and was picked up by the Chicago Bulls as their 30th overall pick. He signed his first, Rookie, professional contract with Chicago Bulls on 9th December 2011.
- In his debut season, he played 42 games at an average of 2.6. He didn’t score in the playoffs. Although his start at the Bulls was rough; he picked up as his career progressed. Overall from 2011-17, he appeared in 394 games for the team and averaged 15.6 points per game. He was a four-time NBA all-star player.
- His career at the Minnesota Timberwolves (2017-18) was a short one. He appeared in 69 games scoring at an average of 22.5 per game.
- He was a clutch player for the Philadelphia 76ers from 2018-19. He led the team to playoffs. His game-winning shot against the Nets won him praise from the fans. Butler played 55 games for the 76ers at an average of 18.2 per game.
- He signed up for Miami Heat in 2019. He played 58 games in the first season at an average of 19.9 points and led the team to the NBA finals. In the final, Jimmy Butler averaged 26.2 points per game; rebounds 9.8, and 8.3 assists per game.
- In 2022, in a 5 game series against the Bucks, Jimmy scored 42 points. In the playoffs, he scored back-to-back 40 points. Jimmy Buckets became the first player in the history of the Heat to score back-to-back 40 points surpassing Dwyane Wade.
Personal Life Of Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler doesn’t speak much about his personal life and keeps it low-key. After his rise to fame, the NBA star has never looked down on his parents after his parents shut on him as a kid.
He said in an interview he doesn’t hold a grudge against his parents. He still loves them and talks to them. He said his love for his parents will never change. At one time there were rumours on social media that Michael Jordan was his biological father but the news was never validated.
Jimmy Butler was found dating Charmaine Piula in 2015. She worked at an Auto insurance company. But they split up soon as both were career oriented and had not enough time for each other.
In 2019 news made rounds on social media that Jimmy Butler and Kaitlin Nowak were dating. The relationship was confirmed in 2020 when they attended Super Bowl LIV show with friends and family. They have a daughter named Rylee.
Towards the end of 2020, there were rumors on social media that Butler and Selena Gomez are dating as both were spotted having dinner together in New York. None of the two confirmed the news.
Jimmy Butler’s Fashion
Butler is not only a lively sportsperson but also loves wearing fashionable clothes and shoes. Early in his career, he was fond of wearing Cowboy boots to and from the court.
In 2015 he jumped from Adidas to Jordan in an astonishing move that cost him a 75 percent pay cut. The transition was not about money but his liking and style. The star player has been seen attending Paris Fashion Week, and featuring in publications like Vogue and GQ.
Jimmy Butler’s Involvement In Charity
He has been the recipient of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award. His efforts were recognized to empower at-risk youth of Chicago by providing in-vogue skills. He attended the Becoming a Man (BAM) conservation circle at Kelvyn Park High School where he interacted with students on methods to improve the city. Besides, Butler also provides dinners to homeless men and Women at Pacific Garden Mission.
Jimmy Butler’s Net Worth In 2023
From being destitute to a millionaire, James Butler has come a long way. In 2023 the NBA star’s estimated worth is around $60 million in total. The figure will rise surely after a few years his massive contract matures. It is estimated that he will make more than $45 million in 2023-24, $49 million in 2024-25, and more than $52 million in 2025-26.
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