Jared Butler

Jared Gladwyn Butler Bio

Jared Gladwyn Butler is an American professional basketball player who currently competes for Crvena zvezda Belgrade of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. Born on August 25, 2000, in Reserve, Louisiana, Butler established himself as one of college basketball’s most accomplished players during his three seasons at Baylor University. As a junior in 2021, he earned consensus first-team All-American honors and led the Baylor Bears to their first-ever national championship, earning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Following his collegiate career, Butler pursued professional basketball and has continued his journey through the NBA G League before joining Crvena zvezda in late 2025.

Early Life and Background

Butler grew up in Reserve, Louisiana, as the son of Richard and Juanea Butler. By the age of eleven, he was already participating in out-of-state basketball tournaments, demonstrating an early passion for the sport. He attended Riverside Academy, where he joined the varsity basketball team as an eighth-grader, showing remarkable maturity and skill beyond his years.

During his junior year at Riverside Academy, Butler averaged 20.4 points and 6.7 assists per game, earning first-team All-State recognition. His senior season proved even more impressive, as he posted averages of 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 3.0 steals. These standout performances earned him first-team All-State honors for the second consecutive year and the Player of the Year award from The Times-Picayune. Rated as a four-star prospect, Butler received scholarship offers from several major programs.

Path to Professional Basketball

Butler initially committed to play college basketball at the University of Alabama over offers from Virginia and Baylor. He explained later that he chose Alabama partly because he was confused why Baylor was not recruiting him more aggressively, despite his high school coach Tim Byrd being friends with Bears head coach Scott Drew. The Baylor coaching staff had been dealing with scholarship constraints and already had a deep roster of guards.

However, Butler enrolled at Alabama but did not participate in the team’s summer workouts and requested a release from his national letter of intent. Alabama granted his release in August, opening the door for him to transfer. A scholarship had become available at Baylor due to the early retirement of Jake Lindsey, allowing Butler to join the Bears. He was immediately eligible to play following his transfer and made an immediate impact as a true freshman, averaging 10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while earning Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors.

Jared Gladwyn Butler Career

Sophomore Season Breakthrough (2019–2020)

Entering the 2019-20 season, Butler was recognized as the 98th-best collegiate basketball player by CBS Sports. On November 5, 2019, he delivered a career-defining performance, scoring 30 points and making a career-high eight three-pointers in a 105-61 victory over Central Arkansas. He was named MVP of the Myrtle Beach Invitational and earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors after averaging 17.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals during the tournament.

Butler’s signature moment came on January 11, 2020, when he scored 22 points in Baylor’s first-ever win at the Phog Allen Fieldhouse, home of the Kansas Jayhawks. This victory marked a significant milestone for the program. He continued his strong play throughout the season, earning his second Big 12 Player of the Week honor and being named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award. At season’s end, Butler earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition and third-team All-American honors from multiple outlets after averaging 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing his name and returning to Baylor in August.

Baylor National Championship Season (2020–2021)

Butler returned to Waco for his junior season as the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year. On January 18, 2021, he recorded a season-high 30 points with eight assists in a 77-69 victory against Kansas. He dominated conference play, earning unanimous First Team All-Big 12 selection and consensus first-team All-American honors. Butler’s crowning achievement came in the NCAA Tournament, where he led Baylor to its first national championship in school history. In the championship game against previously undefeated Gonzaga, he delivered 22 points and seven assists in an 86-70 victory, earning the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award. For the season, he averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game before declaring for the 2021 NBA draft.

NBA Draft and Early Professional Career (2021–2022)

On June 22, 2021, Butler faced an unexpected hurdle when the NBA referred him to a fitness-to-play panel, preventing him from playing or practicing in the league. He was medically cleared to play on July 17, 2021, clearing the path for his professional career. On July 29, 2021, he was selected in the second round with the 40th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans before being traded to the Utah Jazz via the Memphis Grizzlies. Butler signed his rookie-scale contract with Utah on August 12, 2021. He appeared in 29 games during his rookie season, recording a career-high 21 points with seven assists in a 121-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on March 18, 2022. The Jazz waived Butler on October 15, 2022.

G League Development Years (2022–2023)

Butler joined the Grand Rapids Gold, the Denver Nuggets G League affiliate, for the 2022-23 season. He was named to the opening night roster on November 4, 2022, using the G League as a platform to develop his game and stay ready for NBA opportunities. On March 3, 2023, he signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, splitting time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.

Washington Wizards Era (2023–2025)

On July 28, 2023, Butler signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards. His strong play earned him a multi-year deal with Washington on March 5, 2024. However, the Wizards waived him on October 19, 2024, and he re-signed with the organization on a two-way contract two days later. During this period, Butler continued to develop his all-around game. On January 9, 2025, he posted a career-high 26 points, along with four rebounds and seven assists, in a 109-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philadelphia 76ers (2025)

On February 6, 2025, Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Reggie Jackson. The Sixers converted him to a standard contract on February 14, 2025. In 28 appearances with 17 starts for Philadelphia, Butler averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, showing improved consistency and playmaking ability at the NBA level. Following the season, he signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Phoenix Suns on July 24, 2025, but was waived prior to the start of the 2025-26 season on October 17.

Crvena zvezda Era (2025–Present)

On October 23, 2025, Butler signed with Crvena zvezda Belgrade, joining the Serbian club for competition in the ABA League and the EuroLeague. This move marked his transition to European basketball, providing him an opportunity to compete against top-tier international competition and continue his professional development in a new basketball environment.

Playing Style and Strengths

Butler plays the point guard and shooting guard positions, listed at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) and 193 pounds (88 kilograms). Known for his scoring ability and playmaking skills, he has demonstrated the capacity to run an offense while also functioning as a shooting threat. His collegiate career showed his ability to make clutch shots in crucial moments, as evidenced by his performance in the 2021 national championship game. His defensive contributions earned him Big 12 All-Defensive Team recognition in 2021.

Notable Events and Milestones

Butler’s career has been marked by several significant milestones. Winning the 2021 NCAA national championship and earning tournament Most Outstanding Player honors stands as his most prestigious achievement to date. His journey through the NBA included memorable performances, including his career-high 26-point game against Philadelphia while with Washington. The fitness-to-play panel issue during his draft process added an unusual chapter to his career trajectory, which he overcame to establish himself as a professional player.

Jared Gladwyn Butler Career Wins and Honors

Butler has accumulated an impressive array of honors throughout his basketball career, with his collegiate achievements serving as the foundation of his accomplishments. His professional career continues to develop as he adjusts to the international game with Crvena zvezda.

College Career Highlights

Butler’s college career at Baylor produced numerous accolades. He won the NCAA national championship in 2021 and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He earned consensus first-team All-American honors in 2021 and was a third-team All-American in 2020. His Big 12 Conference honors include two first-team All-Big 12 selections (2020, 2021), Big 12 All-Defensive Team recognition (2021), and Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors (2019). He was also a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award during his sophomore season.

Professional Honors

While his professional career is still developing, Butler has continued to demonstrate his scoring ability at the NBA and G League levels. His NBA career has seen him average 11.5 points per game during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2025, showing promising development as a rotation player. His transition to Crvena zvezda marks a new chapter in his professional journey, competing in the highly regarded EuroLeague.

Jared Gladwyn Butler Family

Family Background

Butler was born to Richard and Juanea Butler in Reserve, Louisiana. His family provided support throughout his basketball journey from his early years competing in out-of-state tournaments at age eleven through his rise to NCAA champion and professional player. His father and mother’s encouragement played a significant role in his development as a basketball player.

Personal Life

Butler maintains an active presence on social media, with accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He has remained focused on his basketball career following his transition from college to the professional ranks. His journey from Reserve, Louisiana to the EuroLeague represents a continued pursuit of excellence at the highest levels of international basketball.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 calendar year represented a significant transition period in Butler’s career. Beginning the year with the Washington Wizards organization, he recorded his career-high 26-point performance against Philadelphia in January. Later that season, he was traded to the 76ers in February and converted to a standard contract, validating his continued development as an NBA player. His 11.5 points and 4.9 assists per game with Philadelphia demonstrated improved playmaking ability compared to his earlier professional seasons.

Following the NBA season, Butler signed with Phoenix before being waived in October, leading to his move to Crvena zvezda Belgrade in late October 2025. This transition to European basketball marks a new chapter, joining a club that competes in both the ABA League and the EuroLeague. The move provides Butler with an opportunity to develop his game against different styles of competition while potentially opening doors for future professional opportunities in international basketball.