Butler leaving UConn

NBA calls and sophomore forward will answer

Caron Butler has a checkered past, but a bright future. Al Bello/Getty Images

STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Caron Butler is headed to the NBA after a sophomore season in which he led Connecticut to the NCAA tournament final eight and was co-Big East player of the year.

"This was a very hard decision. It was brutal," a teary Butler said Thursday. "But I had to do what's best for me."

The forward averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds, leading the Huskies (27-7) to the Big East tournament championship.

Butler scored a career-high 34 points in a second-round NCAA victory over North Carolina State and then had 32 in a loss to eventual national champion Maryland in the East Regional final.

"He's ready to go to the NBA draft," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. "It's been special for me. I've watched him carry this team with incredible dignity and tremendous, tremendous will."

Calhoun said both he and Butler knew that the time was right to head to the pros.

If Butler is one of the top 13 picks in the June 26 NBA draft, he would be guaranteed a three-year contract worth at least $3.9 million.

Butler was arrested 15 times before he was 15, and spent a year in jail for bringing a gun and cocaine to school. He said the fact that he has two small children played a big role in his decision.

"I'm in a position to take care of my family for the rest of their lives," he said.

Donyell Marshall, Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton all left Connecticut early and were first-round draft picks.

 

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