Jared Butler
Jared Gladwyn Butler is an American professional basketball player for Crvena zvezda Belgrade of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. Standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and listed at 193 lb (88 kg), he plays both point guard and shooting guard. As a junior in 2021, he was named a consensus first-team All-American and helped lead the Baylor Bears to a national championship. Butler was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player (MOP) after posting 22 points and seven assists in the title game against previously undefeated Gonzaga.
Early Life and Background
Jared Gladwyn Butler was born on August 25, 2000, in Reserve, Louisiana. He is the son of Richard Butler and Juanea Butler, and grew up in the same small river-community town where he would later attend high school. By the time he was eleven years old, Butler was already competing in out-of-state basketball tournaments, signaling an early and intense commitment to the sport.
Butler attended Riverside Academy in Reserve, Louisiana, joining the varsity basketball team as an eighth-grader. As a junior, he averaged 20.4 points and 6.7 assists and was named first-team All-State. During his senior season, he averaged 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 3.0 steals, earning first-team All-State honors again along with Player of the Year recognition from The Times-Picayune. Rated a four-star prospect, Butler originally committed to Alabama over offers from Virginia and Baylor before changing course.
Path to Basketball
Butler enrolled at Alabama but did not participate in the team’s summer workouts, requesting an unconditional release from his letter of intent so he could transfer to Baylor University. Alabama granted the release in August, and a scholarship had just opened up at Baylor following the early retirement of Jake Lindsey. Because of his unconditional release, Butler was eligible to play immediately for the Bears.
As a true freshman in 2018–19, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference and a spot on the league’s All-Freshman team. Going into his sophomore season, CBS Sports ranked him the 98th-best collegiate basketball player, and he soon justified that ranking by erupting for 30 points and a career-high eight three-pointers in a 105–61 win over Central Arkansas.
Jared Butler Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
During his sophomore year at Baylor, Butler was named MVP of the 2019 Myrtle Beach Invitational and earned Big 12 Player of the Week after averaging 17.7 points, 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals over three tournament games. On January 11, 2020, he scored 22 points as Baylor defeated Kansas for its first win ever at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, which earned him a second Big 12 Player of the Week honor.
At the end of that season he was named first-team All-Big 12 and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, USBWA, NABC and Sporting News 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, but on August 3 he announced he was withdrawing from the draft and returning to Baylor.
Baylor Bears Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Coming into his junior season, Butler was named Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year. On January 18, 2021, he recorded a season-high 30 points and eight assists in a 77–69 win against Kansas, confirming his status as one of college basketball’s most dynamic guards. He was a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 selection and earned consensus first-team All-American honors.
Butler led Baylor to its first national championship, posting 22 points and seven assists in an 86–70 win over previously undefeated Gonzaga in the title game. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game as a junior and was named NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player. On May 30, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Crvena zvezda Era (2025–Present)
On October 23, 2025, Butler signed with Crvena zvezda Belgrade of the ABA League and the EuroLeague, joining one of Europe’s most storied basketball clubs. The move came after a short stint with the Phoenix Suns, who had signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in July 2025 before waiving him prior to the 2025–26 NBA season.
Earlier in 2025, Butler had been traded from the Washington Wizards to the Philadelphia 76ers on February 6 in exchange for Reggie Jackson, and was converted to a standard contract on February 14. In 28 appearances (17 starts) for Philadelphia he averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, leaving the NBA on a productive note.
His arrival at Crvena zvezda coincided with the club’s run to the Serbian Cup title in 2026, providing early momentum in his European career. The Belgrade move gives Butler a leading role in both the ABA League and the EuroLeague.
Playing Style and Strengths
Butler is a versatile guard who creates offense as both a scorer and a facilitator, with the size and strength to defend either backcourt position. He has been praised throughout his career for his court vision, three-point shooting range and competitive toughness, traits that earned him Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2021.
Notable Events and Milestones
Butler’s signature moment remains the 2021 NCAA title game, where he led Baylor past previously undefeated Gonzaga and claimed Most Outstanding Player honors. He also posted a then-career-high 21 points for the Utah Jazz on March 18, 2022, and later set a new career high of 26 points on January 9, 2025, against the Philadelphia 76ers while still a member of the Washington Wizards.
Jared Butler Career Wins
Butler’s career is anchored by his 2021 NCAA championship with Baylor and his growing list of professional accolades. He has also added a Serbian Cup title with Crvena zvezda in 2026, demonstrating his ability to contribute to winning programs at every level.
College Highlights
Butler was a key contributor across three seasons at Baylor, highlighted by the 2021 NCAA championship and his Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. He was a two-time First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2020 and 2021 and a consensus first-team All-American in 2021, capping one of the most decorated individual runs in program history.
Professional Highlights
Since being selected 40th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and traded to the Utah Jazz, Butler has moved between NBA and G League rosters while continuing to develop. His transition to Crvena zvezda Belgrade in October 2025 marked a new chapter abroad, where he quickly helped the club win the 2026 Serbian Cup.
Jared Butler Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Butler is the son of Richard Butler and Juanea Butler, who raised him in Reserve, Louisiana. His parents supported his early basketball development, and by age eleven he was already traveling out of state for tournaments, a routine that laid the foundation for his future career.
Personal Life
Butler grew up in Reserve, Louisiana, the same community where he attended Riverside Academy. Public information about his personal relationships, marital status and children is not widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was a period of significant change for Butler. He began the year with the Washington Wizards before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on February 6 in exchange for Reggie Jackson, then converted to a standard NBA contract on February 14. In 28 appearances (17 starts) for Philadelphia he averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, showing the playmaking that had defined his college career.
After his NBA stint ended, Butler signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Phoenix Suns in July 2025 but was waived prior to the start of the 2025–26 NBA season on October 17. He did not stay on the free-agent market long, joining Crvena zvezda Belgrade on October 23, 2025, where he competes in both the ABA League and the EuroLeague.
Looking ahead, Butler’s role with Crvena zvezda offers a chance to be a featured guard in high-level European competition and to add team trophies such as the 2026 Serbian Cup to his résumé. His combination of NBA experience, scoring punch and playmaking should keep him in demand across top leagues for the foreseeable future.
