Jared Butler Bio
Jared Gladwyn Butler, born August 25, 2000, is an American professional basketball player who most recently signed with Crvena zvezda Belgrade of the ABA League and the EuroLeague in August 2025. A consensus first-team All-American as a junior at Baylor University in 2021, he helped lead the Bears to the national championship and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Drafted 40th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 NBA draft, Butler has built a professional career that has included stints with multiple NBA franchises and their G League affiliates.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, Butler has developed into a combo guard known for scoring, playmaking, and defensive toughness. His path from Reserve, Louisiana, to top-level European basketball reflects steady development through college stardom and a professional journey shaped by both opportunity and perseverance.
Early Life and Background
Jared Gladwyn Butler was born on August 25, 2000, in Reserve, Louisiana, to Richard Butler and Juanea Butler. He grew up in the same small community and was surrounded by basketball from a young age. By the time he was eleven years old, Butler was already competing in out-of-state basketball tournaments, a sign of the early dedication that would shape his career.
Butler attended Riverside Academy in Reserve, Louisiana, where he joined the varsity basketball team as an eighth-grader, an unusually early promotion that reflected his advanced skill set. As a junior, he averaged 20.4 points and 6.7 assists and was named first-team All-State. During his senior season, he raised his production to 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 3.0 steals per game, earning first-team All-State honors again along with Player of the Year recognition from The Times-Picayune. Rated a four-star prospect, Butler initially committed to play college basketball at Alabama, drawn by his relationship with his high school coach, Tim Byrd, and the program’s interest.
Path to Basketball
Although Butler had committed to Alabama, he never participated in the team’s summer workouts. He requested an unconditional release from his letter of intent in order to transfer, and Alabama granted the request in August 2018. A scholarship had opened at Baylor University following the early retirement of guard Jake Lindsey, opening the door for Butler to join the Bears program under head coach Scott Drew.
Eligible to play immediately because of his release, Butler enrolled at Baylor and quickly made an impact. As a true freshman, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference and to the league’s All-Freshman team. On February 25, 2019, he earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors after strong performances against Iowa State and West Virginia, establishing himself as one of the most promising young guards in the conference.
Jared Butler Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Heading into his sophomore season, Butler was ranked the 98th-best collegiate basketball player by CBS Sports. He opened the 2019–20 campaign with a statement performance, scoring 30 points and hitting a career-high eight three-pointers in a 105–61 win over Central Arkansas on November 5, 2019. He was later named MVP of the 2019 Myrtle Beach Invitational and earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors after averaging 17.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals across three tournament wins.
Butler continued to rise in national visibility. On January 11, 2020, he scored 22 points as Baylor defeated Kansas for its first-ever win at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, earning another Big 12 Player of the Week honor on January 13. He was added to the revised 20-man Wooden Award watchlist and named one of ten finalists for the Bob Cousy Award. At season’s end, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and a third-team All-American, and he briefly declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Baylor.
NCAA Championship Season (2020–2021)
Named Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, Butler was a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 selection and earned consensus first-team All-American honors as a junior. On January 18, 2021, he posted a season-high 30 points and eight assists in a 77–69 win against Kansas, reinforcing his status as one of college basketball’s premier guards.
Butler led Baylor to its first national championship, capping the run with 22 points and seven assists in an 86–70 victory over previously undefeated Gonzaga in the title game. He was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Across his junior season, he averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. On May 30, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars (2021–2022)
Selected 40th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 NBA draft, Butler was traded to the Utah Jazz via the Memphis Grizzlies. After a brief fitness-to-play review and subsequent medical clearance, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Jazz on August 12, 2021. Splitting time with the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League, he continued to develop his professional game.
On March 18, 2022, Butler recorded a career-high 21 points and added seven assists in a 121–92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, offering a glimpse of his scoring potential at the NBA level. The Jazz waived him on October 15, 2022, ending his first NBA chapter.
Grand Rapids Gold (2022–2023)
Butler was named to the opening night roster for the Grand Rapids Gold on November 4, 2022, where he continued to refine his game in the G League. The assignment provided him consistent minutes and a chance to lead an offense, a role he had grown accustomed to during his Baylor tenure.
Oklahoma City Blue (2023)
On March 3, 2023, Butler signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, linking him to the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League. The deal gave him another opportunity to compete within an NBA organization’s system while showcasing his playmaking and perimeter scoring.
Washington Wizards and Capital City Go-Go (2023–2025)
Butler signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards on July 28, 2023, splitting time with the Capital City Go-Go. On March 5, 2024, he signed a multi-year deal with the Wizards, but was waived in October 2024 and re-signed to another two-way contract two days later. On January 9, 2025, he recorded a career-high 26 points with four rebounds and seven assists in a 109–103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the team that would soon acquire him.
Philadelphia 76ers (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Reggie Jackson. He was converted to a standard contract on February 14, and in 28 appearances with 17 starts, he averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. The stint in Philadelphia marked his most extensive NBA run to that point and showcased his ability to contribute as a starter.
Crvena zvezda Belgrade (2025–Present)
On July 24, 2025, Butler signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, but he was waived prior to the start of the 2025–26 NBA season on October 17. Shortly after, on August 23, 2025, he signed with Crvena zvezda Belgrade of the ABA League and the EuroLeague, beginning the European phase of his professional career with one of the continent’s most storied clubs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Butler is best described as a scoring lead guard with sharp perimeter shooting, capable of creating his own offense and setting up teammates. His combination of ball-handling, three-point range, and passing vision makes him a natural offensive engine, while his defensive intensity and basketball IQ, recognized with Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2021, allow him to compete on both ends of the floor. He has thrived when given the keys to an offense, whether at Baylor, in the G League, or in short NBA stints.
Notable Events and Milestones
Butler’s signature moment remains the 2021 NCAA championship game, where his 22 points and seven assists helped Baylor defeat previously undefeated Gonzaga and earned him Most Outstanding Player honors. Other milestones include a career-high 30 points in a single college game, a 21-point NBA career high with the Jazz, a 26-point NBA high with the Wizards, and his transition to elite European competition with Crvena zvezda in 2025.
Jared Butler Career Wins
Jared Butler’s career has produced wins across the NCAA, NBA, G League, and now European basketball, anchored by his 2021 NCAA national championship with Baylor.
NCAA Highlights
Butler was a consensus first-team All-American in 2021 and a third-team All-American in 2020, and he was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection (2020 and 2021). He was named Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2019 and Big 12 All-Defensive Team in 2021, while his crowning achievement was the 2021 NCAA tournament title and Most Outstanding Player award. He was also a two-time Big 12 Player of the Week and the 2019 Myrtle Beach Invitational MVP.
Other Wins and Performances
In the G League, Butler produced multiple high-scoring games with the Salt Lake City Stars, Grand Rapids Gold, Oklahoma City Blue, and Capital City Go-Go. His 26-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 9, 2025, ranks as a career NBA high. The move to Crvena zvezda Belgrade marks his first professional step outside North America.
Jared Butler Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jared Gladwyn Butler is the son of Richard Butler and Juanea Butler, and he was raised in Reserve, Louisiana. The supportive family foundation he grew up with allowed him to travel out of state for basketball tournaments by the age of eleven, an early commitment that shaped his competitive foundation.
Personal Life
Butler maintains a public presence on social media, where he shares updates on his basketball career. He has largely kept his personal relationships private, focusing public attention on his professional journey from Reserve, Louisiana, to professional basketball in Europe.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a turning point in Jared Butler’s professional career. After being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2025 and converted to a standard contract, he posted averages of 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 28 games, including 17 starts. His career-high 26-point outing against the 76ers as a Wizard, followed by his trade to Philadelphia days later, framed a momentum shift that carried into the offseason.
Butler signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Phoenix Suns in July 2025, but was waived before the 2025–26 NBA season began on October 17, 2025. He quickly pivoted to overseas basketball, signing with Crvena zvezda Belgrade on August 23, 2025, to compete in both the ABA League and the EuroLeague. The move positioned him with one of Europe’s most decorated clubs, where he is expected to play a central role in their backcourt.
Looking ahead, Butler’s outlook is defined by his fit within a high-level European system and his pursuit of team and individual success on a new stage. His combination of NBA experience, G League production, and championship pedigree from Baylor makes him a notable addition to Crvena zvezda’s roster, with the 2025–26 season offering him an opportunity to further expand his professional resume.