Ayrton Oneill
Jimmy Butler III is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. Known as Jimmy Buckets, Butler has had a successful NBA career, including being a six-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA Team member. After facing a challenging childhood, Butler went on to play college basketball for Tyler Junior College and Marquette University before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2011. Since then, he has played for several NBA teams and achieved numerous accolades.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jimmy Butler III |
| Nickname | Jimmy Buckets |
| Born | September 14, 1989 |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Current Team | Golden State Warriors |
| Previous Teams | Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat |
| Draft | 30th Overall Pick in the 2011 NBA Draft |
| Achievements | 6-time NBA All-Star, 5-time All-NBA Team, 5-time NBA All-Defensive Team, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, 2015 NBA Most Improved Player |
| High School | Tomball High School |
| College | Tyler Junior College, Marquette University |
| Notable Games | 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block against Rockets (2023); 38 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists against Memphis Grizzlies (2023) |
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What You'll Learn
Jimmy Butler's early life and basketball beginnings
Jimmy Butler III, born on September 14, 1989, in Houston, Texas, is an American professional basketball player. Known for his fierce competitiveness and standout performances in the postseason, Butler has had a successful career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). But his journey to becoming one of the best players in the league hasn't been easy.
Butler's father, Jimmy Butler Jr., abandoned him when he was just an infant. Raised by a single mother in the Houston suburb of Tomball, Butler's living situation became even more challenging when, at the age of 13, his mother kicked him out of the house. Recalling the incident in a 2011 interview, Butler said that his mother told him, "I don't like the look of you. You gotta go."
For years, Butler lived in a series of temporary accommodations, often without parental supervision. He moved between the homes of various friends, staying for a few weeks at a time before moving on. This period of instability ended when he was finally taken in by the family of his friend Jordan Leslie, a fellow basketball and football player at Tomball High School. Butler stayed with the Leslies for a few months before his senior year, later expressing his gratitude for their acceptance and the loving environment they provided.
Despite the challenges he faced, Butler excelled in basketball during his junior and senior years at Tomball High School. As a junior, he averaged 10 points per game, and in his senior year as team captain (2006-2007), he averaged 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. This performance earned him the title of his team's Most Valuable Player. However, despite his impressive statistics, Butler was not recruited by any National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball programs.
Undeterred, Butler chose to attend Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, where he continued to showcase his talent. During his freshman season, he averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, finally attracting the interest of Division I programs. He then accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Marquette University, where he further honed his skills.
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Butler's college basketball career
Jimmy Butler III, born on September 14, 1989, is an American professional basketball player. He played one year of college basketball for Tyler Junior College before transferring to Marquette University.
During his junior year at Tomball High, Butler averaged 10 points per game. In his senior year, as team captain in 2006–07, he averaged 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and was voted his team's most valuable player. Despite this, Butler was not recruited out of high school and chose to attend Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. In his freshman season, he averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, which caught the attention of Division I programs.
Butler accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Marquette University as a sophomore for the 2008–09 season. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. As a senior in 2010–11, he averaged 15.7 points per game and received All-Big East Honorable Mention for the second straight year. He also had two game-winning shots versus UConn and St. John's, helping Marquette finish 11–7 in the Big East and securing its fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
In the 2011 NBA draft, Butler was selected as the 30th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. He played 42 games during the 2011–12 season and all 82 games the following year. In the 2012–13 season, Butler played limited minutes at the beginning of the season, but his playing time increased in the second half, and he started in all 12 playoff games. On April 9, 2013, he scored a then-career-high 28 points against the Toronto Raptors. In his next game, he recorded his first NBA double-double with 22 points and a career-high 14 rebounds against the New York Knicks.
After six seasons in Chicago, Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in June 2017 and then to the Philadelphia 76ers in November 2018. In July 2019, he signed with the Miami Heat and reached the NBA Finals in his first season with the team. In February 2025, Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors, where he signed a two-year, $121 million contract extension.
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His NBA debut and time with the Chicago Bulls
Nicknamed "Jimmy Buckets", Jimmy Butler III is an American professional basketball player currently with the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Butler was selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. In his debut season, he played 42 games during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. The following season, he played all 82 games for the Bulls.
Butler played limited minutes at the start of the 2012-13 season. However, his minutes increased during the second half, and he started in all 12 playoff games. In an April 2013 regular-season game, Butler scored a then career-high 28 points in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. He recorded his first NBA double-double game two days later, with 22 points and a then career-high 14 rebounds against the New York Knicks.
During his time with the Bulls, Butler's performance continued to improve. In the 2013-14 season, he played in 67 games, averaging a career-high 38.7 minutes per game, which ranked first in the NBA. He scored a season-high 26 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in December 2013. In 2015, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player.
After six seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in June 2017. He had a successful debut season with the Timberwolves, scoring 33 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers and 38 points in an overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Butler's performance led the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance in 14 years.
Butler returned to play against the Chicago Bulls in February 2019, scoring 38 points in a close loss. In July 2019, he signed with the Miami Heat, reaching the NBA Finals in his first season with the team.
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Butler's trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves
In June 2017, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Jimmy Butler III from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen. Butler, a four-time All-Star, averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.0 steals in 59 games for the Timberwolves in the 2017-18 season.
Butler's tenure with the Timberwolves ended on a sour note in November 2018. After an infamous outburst during a practice session, where he called out teammates Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Timberwolves decided to trade Butler after a fifth straight loss, with team president and coach Tom Thibodeau concluding that the team could no longer function with Butler as a part of it.
Prior to the trade, Butler had made his desire to be dealt known, with his preferred destinations including the Brooklyn Nets, LA Clippers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat. Despite being close to a trade with the Miami Heat, negotiations fell through, and he was ultimately traded to the 76ers.
During his time with the Timberwolves, Butler helped the team reach the playoffs, ending a 14-year drought for the franchise. However, they lost in the first round to the Houston Rockets.
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Golden State Warriors contract and achievements
In February 2025, Jimmy Butler III joined the Golden State Warriors as part of a multi-player deal with the Miami Heat. The 35-year-old, who plays as a forward, signed a two-year, $121 million contract extension with the Warriors, turning down a similar offer from Miami.
Butler's arrival at Golden State was celebrated, with the player stating his desire to win championships for his new teammates, Steph Curry and Draymond Green. In his first season with the Warriors, Butler has helped the team reach the playoffs, contributing 38 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a crucial Play-In victory over the Grizzlies. He also led the Warriors in scoring during their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, including a 27-point performance in Game 4.
Butler's contract with the Warriors comes after a three-year, $146 million extension with Miami, which he signed in 2023. During his time with the Heat, Butler led the team to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023, showcasing his ability to propel teams to great heights. However, his relationship with Miami deteriorated due to his suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team" and the team's reluctance to offer him a lucrative extension.
With his move to the Warriors, Butler adds to his list of achievements by joining a prestigious franchise known for their success. He also becomes one of the first players to surpass $400 million in career earnings, further solidifying his legacy in the NBA.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Butler, also known as Jimmy Butler III, is an American professional basketball player.
Will Butler has played for the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and the Golden State Warriors.
Will Butler is a forward.
Will Butler played college basketball for Tyler Junior College and Marquette University.
Will Butler is a six-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA Team member, and a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. He also won a gold medal as a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.
