Jimmy Butler is one of the best players in the NBA, but the story of how he got there is incredible.
Time for thread 👇👇👇
1) Born in Houston, Texas, Jimmy Butler's father abandoned the family when he was an infant.
To make matters worse, his mother would do the same thing a decade later.
When Butler was 13 his mom kicked him out of the house, saying "I don't like the look of you. You gotta go.”
2) After being kicked out by his mom, Jimmy Butler was homeless from the age of 13-17.
Butler spent his teenage years alternating between friends couches, never staying long enough to wear out his welcome.
Butler felt like a burden, until one day changed his life forever.
3) In 2005, Jimmy Butler attended a HS basketball camp where he met Jordan Leslie.
The two quickly became friends, and shortly thereafter, family.
Despite having 7 kids already, Jordan's mom insisted Butler move in with the family after finding out he had no where else to go.
4) When it came to basketball, Jimmy Butler was a late bloomer.
As a 2-star guard and the 1,253rd-ranked player in his recruiting class, Butler had no Division I offers senior year.
Taking the lack of interest as a challenge, Butler decided to enroll at Tyler Junior College.
5) Jimmy Butler played well at Tyler Junior College, averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Despite solid numbers, Butler still ended the season as the 127th ranked prospect in the country.
Intrigued by his potential, Marquette's Buzz Williams offered Butler a scholarship anyways.
6) At Marquette, Jimmy Butler transformed his basketball skillset through "an incredible work ethic".
As a senior, Butler averaged 16 points per game and was named All-Big East for the 2nd straight year.
Next up?
The NBA draft.
7) Jimmy Butler was selected as the 30th pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
Since then, he has played for the Bulls, Timberwolves, 76ers, and now has the Miami Heat 6 wins away from an NBA title.
With $112M in earnings, it's a good thing he stuck with basketball.
8) In Orlando, Jimmy Butler has extended his hustle off the court - as the owner of "Big Face Coffee".
Unable to find good coffee upon arrival, Butler ordered a French press and put a menu outside his room.
Big Face Coffee accepts cash only, accepting "No I.O.U.'s"
9) Jimmy Butler has faced enough adversity for two lifetimes, but he certainly doesn't want any sympathy.
"There’s nothing to feel sorry about. I love what happened to me. It made me who I am. I’m grateful for the challenges I’ve faced."
10) Whether it was being homeless at the age of 13, or receiving no Division 1 scholarship offers, Jimmy Butler was a long shot to make the NBA.
Now as a perennial NBA All-Star, Jimmy Butler has proved that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.
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Sources:
espn.com/nba/story/_/id…
homeofplaymakers.com/sports/basketb…
cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks…
spotrac.com/nba/miami-heat…
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