Jimmy Butler has gone from an underdog in the NBA to one of its most respected players. Few people expected Butler to have the success that he did in the NBA when he first entered. And if we look back at his life, Butler did not have an easy road to the NBA.
Butler’s childhood was not at all easy. His father was not around when he was growing up, which meant that his mother had to raise him by himself.
But that did not last long, as Butler revealed in an interview years ago that his mother kicked him out when he was just 13 years old. She didn’t like the way he was behaving and told him to leave the house.
"I don't like the look of you. You gotta go."
Those were the last words Jimmy Butler says he remembers his mother saying to him before, according to his recollection, she kicked him to the curb. He was 13 years old. There was no family to run to. No place to call home. No money in his pocket.
With no family to turn to, Butler survived by staying with his friends, and surrogate families as he tried to find his calling. His friend Jordan Leslie’s family adopted him, as the younger children looked up to him. Leslie’s mom, Michelle Lambert told him he needed to be a role model by getting good grades, doing chores, and behaving well.
Lambert:"I told him my kids looked up to him. He had to stay out of trouble. Work hard in school. He had to set an example. And you know what? Jimmy did it. Anything I asked him to do, he did it without asking questions."
Butler:"They accepted me into their family. And it wasn't because of basketball. She was just very loving. She just did stuff like that. I couldn't believe it."
In high school, Butler began playing basketball, and it gave him a lifeline, as he ended up becoming the 73rd ranked player in Texas. But his numbers were nothing spectacular, which didn’t get him any attention from collegiate programs.
Butler spent a year at junior college, where he was noticed by several universities, including Marquette, where he ended up going eventually. At Marquette, he spent a lot of time on the bench, before improving and becoming a versatile player.
He then declared for the NBA Draft, but again, was not given a lot of thought by scouts. He was selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. And since then, he has gone on to become a perennial All-Star and has even played in an NBA Finals for the Miami Heat.
Butler was not a top prospect entering the NBA, and there were doubts about him getting a chance. But Butler was determined to make it in the league, and those around him dearly hoped that someone who had worked so hard would get the opportunity to make a life for themselves.
Lambert (holding back tears):"I hope someone gives him a chance. No one gave him a chance. I guess we did, and look what happened. He finally had someone to make [proud of him]. If an NBA team gives him a chance, he'll do the world for them. That's what he did for me."
Butler:"It's taught me that anything is possible. My whole life, people have doubted me. My mom did. People told me in high school I'm too short and not fast enough to play basketball. They didn't know my story. Because if they did, they'd know that anything is possible. Who would've thought that a small-town kid would become a halfway decent player in college and now has a chance to be drafted in the NBA? That's my chip. That's what motivates me. I know I can overcome anything if I just take everything one day [at a] time."
Since entering the NBA, Butler has made a great life for himself. He did not hold a grudge against his mother. And a few years into his career, he was able to reconcile with his family as well.
"Me and my family are on great terms now. I'm good. I'm OK."
"You learn everybody makes mistakes. I make mistakes. That means you don't hold a grudge against anybody. I've grown up so much because this game has taught me you don't take anything for granted. You respect everybody. You make sure everybody feels wanted."
On top of that, he started his own family, with his girlfriend Kaitlin Nowak, and his daughter Rylee, who was born in 2019, just before he made his debut with the Miami Heat.
Butler’s journey to the NBA shows that anyone can be successful as long as they are willing to put in the work and have the talent. Butler’s road was not easy by any means, but he has reached his destination. And in the end, it was all worth it.
This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.
FAQs
Jimmy's dad abandoned him when he was an infant, and his mother kicked him out at the age of 13. "I don't like the look of you. You gotta go," the Miami Heat superstar recalled his mother's last words to him” (Williams, 2023).
Who is Jimmy Butler's real mom? ›
Is it true that Michael Jordan is Jimmy Butler's father? ›
Is Jimmy Butler Michael Jordan's son? No, he is not. Jimmy Butler III was born in Houston in 1989 to Jimmy Butler II and Londa Butler. His father abandoned the family when he was an infant, and he was raised by his mother in the suburb of Tomball, Texas, until he was 13.
Is Jimmy Butler emo? ›
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” Butler told reporters during the NBA media day before the season tipped off. “I'm emo. This is my emotional state, I'm at one with my emotions, so this is what you get.”
Why did Jimmy's mom kick him out? ›
His father abandoned the family when Butler was an infant. By the time he was 13 years old and living in the Houston suburb of Tomball, his mother kicked him out of the house. As Butler remembered it in a 2011 interview, she told him, "I don't like the look of you. You gotta go."
Why did Jimmy Butler forgive his mom? ›
He has forgiven his biological mother for her past mistakes. This is a powerful example of forgiveness and redemption. Jimmy's story is a reminder that forgiveness is possible, even in the most difficult circ*mstances. Forgiveness can help us to heal from the pain of the past and to move forward with our lives.
Is Jimmy Butler's hair real? ›
Butler's regular look nor one that anyone expected to stick around once the cameras were off. In fact, before the start of last season, he showed up in dreadlocks, which he claimed at the time were his real hair.
Is Anthony Edward's Michael Jordan's son? ›
No, Edwards isn't related to Jordan in any capacity. The rumors that Jordan is Edwards' father are false, but that hasn't stopped the internet from pushing this agenda. Edwards was born to his mother, Chrisha Yvette Edwards, and father, Roger Caruth.
What happened to Jimmy Butler's mom and dad? ›
The father of Jimmy Butler is Jimmy Butler II. He left him and his mother and him when he was very young. Butler has not revealed any more information about his father. However, he stated that he had reconciled with both his mother and father and keeps in touch with them.
Who is the father of Jordan's first child? ›
Jeffrey Jordan is Michael Jordan's first child with his first wife Juanita Vanoy.
Jimmy Butler's Godfather for His Daughter – Kyle Lowry
Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry have been friends for a while, and this closeness was on full display when Butler asked Lowry to be the godfather of his daughter, Rylee.
Could Jimmy Butler be Michael Jordan's son? ›
After delving extensively into the subject matter, it's clear that the rumor suggesting Jimmy Butler is the biological son of Michael Jordan is nothing more than an internet myth. Both Butler and Jordan have refuted this claim, and there is no factual evidence to substantiate it.
Is Jimmy still emo? ›
Jimmy Butler may have ditched his straightened, sideswept bangs on the court, but don't get it twisted — he's still emo.
Why did Jimmy go emo? ›
When asked about the look, Butler responded, "This is my emotional state. I'm one with my emotions, so this is what you get." The "emotional" aspect of Butler's look was surely a play on Miami's inability to strike a deal for superstar Damian Lillard, who was linked to the Heat throughout the offseason.
Is jimmy eat world emo? ›
Jimmy Eat World formed in Mesa, Arizona, United States in 1993. They are associated with an array of genres including emo, alternative rock, indie rock and pop punk.
What year did Jimmy Butler leave the Bulls? ›
The Chicago Bulls haven't made many trades recently. In fact, since their big-swing moves in 2021, they've been almost completely inactive on the trade market. But at one point, they decided to make a mega deal. At the 2017 NBA Draft, they traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Who is the oldest player in the NBA? ›
The oldest active player is LeBron James, who is currently 39 years, 207 days old. The youngest active player in the NBA is Toronto Raptors forward Ulrich Chomche, the 57th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, who was born on December 30, 2005. LeBron James is the oldest active NBA player.
Why did Jimmy Butler leave? ›
The team announced his leave in a statement just before the game was set to tip at the Kaseya Center. "Jimmy Butler has been granted a leave of absence as he deals with the death of a family member," the statement reads.
How old was Jimmy Butler when he was adopted? ›
By now, many are familiar with the story of how Jimmy Butler grew up: how his mom kicked him out of their home in bedraggled Tomball, Texas, at age 13 before he was finally taken in by a surrogate family in high school.
