Caron Butler excited to see son get opportunity with Heat’s G League: ‘It’s goosebumps’

Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler is watching the organization’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a little closer these days.

That’s because the Heat’s developmental affiliate acquired Butler’s son, JC Butler, from the available pool via roster hardship last week. JC, a 6-foot-5 guard, went undrafted this past summer out of UC Irvine before arriving to the Skyforce.

“It’s amazing,” Butler said ahead of the Heat’s matchup against the Magic in Orlando on Wednesday night. “I’m forever grateful to the Arison family and coach [Pat] Riley, Andy Elisburg, coach Spo (Erik Spoelstra) to just give him the opportunity. He’s really been traveling around pretty much everywhere during this process, getting into the portal and obviously getting picked up. It was a tremendous relief and I’m just happy for him.”

Before being acquired by the Skyforce, JC was considering basketball opportunities overseas and had already begun playing with the Skyforce as a practice player. He took part in training camp with the Skyforce ahead of the season opener before missing the final cut and then eventually making his way onto the roster.

JC, 23, averaged 3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 20 of 45 (44.4 percent) from three-point range as a redshirt senior at UC Irvine last season before going undrafted this past June.

“I think what he’s solely known for is his athleticism, obviously,” Butler said when asked for the scouting report on his son. “But defensively, he’s a grit-and-grind type of dude that can get after it. He’s very efficient from the three-point line. He’s a catch-and-shoot guy and a catch-and-go guy off the dribble. But he has so many tools and so many things that got to get sharpened just like all young players. I’m just happy that he got up under our umbrella, where he’s able to develop.”

This isn’t the first time the Heat has added a familiar face to its developmental program. Tre Mourning, the son of former Heat center and current Heat executive Alonzo Mourning, played for the Heat’s summer league team in 2019 and later was selected by the Skyforce in the G League draft.

“We always talk about culture and we always talk about the grit and grind and the connection that we have and the sweat equity that we have on the court and the work ethic that it takes to get on that court under this umbrella,” said Butler, whose history with the Heat goes back to 2002 when he was drafted by Miami with the 10th overall pick. “He earned his opportunity but definitely got a huge push just because he’s part of the fabric of this organization already because he is a legacy.”

Butler spent the first two seasons of his NBA career with the Heat before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 as part of a package to acquire Shaquille O’Neal. Butler then returned to join Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff and he’s now in his fourth season as a Heat assistant coach.

“This shows that it’s all about family around here,” Butler continued.

With the Heat’s schedule and the Skyforce’s schedule aligning in Orlando this week, Butler was able to attend the Skyforce’s game on Tuesday night in the G League Winter Showcase at the Orange County Convention Center. JC didn’t play in the Skyforce’s 129-110 loss to the Raptors 905, but it was still a special moment for the Butler family.

“It’s goosebumps, man,” Butler said.

WATCH PARTY

Along with Butler, Spoelstra and other members of the Heat’s coaching staff made time to attend the Skyforce’s game in Orlando on Tuesday.

Heat second-year forward Nikola Jovic and each of the Heat’s three two-way contract players Jamal Cain, RJ Hampton and Cole Swider all played for the Skyforce in the loss to the Raptors 905.

Jovic finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and one assist.

Cain recorded nine points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals.

Hampton contributed nine points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Swider scored 17 points while shooting 4 of 9 from three-point range.

“The timing worked out,” Spoelstra said of the experience. “It was great to be able to see them go through the whole process. It was a disappointing game. We talked to Niko and Cain about it this morning and they’re disappointed about it. They’ll have an opportunity to bounce back [on Friday].”

The Skyforce’s second and final game in the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando comes on Friday against the Osceola Magic.

Jovic, Cain, Hampton and Swider are all available for the Heat on Wednesday against the Magic just one night after playing for the Skyforce in Orlando.

INJURY REPORT

The Heat ruled out two rotation players, Jimmy Butler and Kevin Love, for Wednesday’s matchup against the Magic in Orlando. Butler will miss the game after straining his left calf in Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Love will miss the game with a stomach illness.

Both Butler and Love did not travel with the team and remained in Miami.

The Magic will be without Markelle Fultz (left knee tendinitis), Kevon Harris (coach’s decision), Joe Ingles (left ankle sprain) and Trevelin Queen (G League) against the Heat.