What to know about OKC Thunder signing former Baylor star Jared Butler on two-way contract

Joe Mussatto, Oklahoman
·2 min read

The Thunder filled its open two–way contract spot on Thursday by signing former Baylor guard Jared Butler, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

The Thunder had an opening after promoting Lindy Waters III to a standard NBA contract. Butler will join center Olivier Sarr as the Thunder’s other two-way player — players on cheaper deals who go back and forth between the G League and NBA.

Butler is a 6-foot-3, 22-year-old from Reserve, Louisiana. After playing three seasons at Baylor, Butler was drafted 40th overall by the Jazz in 2021.

Here’s what else you need to know about the Thunder’s new addition:

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Baylor head coach Scott Drew, left, talks with guard Jared Butler (12) as he leaves the game late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stephen F. Austin in Waco, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew, left, talks with guard Jared Butler (12) as he leaves the game late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stephen F. Austin in Waco, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.

National champion at Baylor

Jared Butler was the leading scorer on Baylor’s 2021 NCAA championship team. He averaged 16.7 points that season as a junior while shooting 47% from the field and 42% from 3-point range.

In Baylor’s dominant 86-70 title win against Gonzaga, Butler scored 22 points and dished seven assists.

Butler was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 Final Four and was a consensus All-American that season in addition to winning AP Big 12 Player of the Year.

Butler, a top-100 prospect in the 2018 class, originally enrolled at Alabama, but he only stayed in Tuscaloosa for a couple of months before being granted a release and transferring to Baylor.

Butler averaged 14.1 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds in his three seasons as a Bear.

He’ll become the second Baylor product to play for the Thunder, joining Perry Jones (2012-15).

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Baylor guard Jared Butler celebrates as he walks off the court after the championship game against Gonzaga in the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 5, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Baylor won 86-70. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Baylor guard Jared Butler celebrates as he walks off the court after the championship game against Gonzaga in the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 5, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Baylor won 86-70. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Heart condition

At 18, Butler was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — a heart disease in which the heart muscle becomes thickened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Butler was cleared to play, but many have said his heart condition is why he fell into the second round on draft night.

Butler said he hasn’t experienced any symptoms related to HCM, which can include shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness.

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Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler (13) shoots around Phoenix Suns forward Bismack Biyombo (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler (13) shoots around Phoenix Suns forward Bismack Biyombo (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Pro career

Butler played just one season in Utah.

In 42 games, he averaged 3.8 points, 1.5 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 8.6 minutes.

The Jazz waived him before training camp last October and he remained available until the Thunder signed him Thursday.

Butler had been playing in the G League this season for the Grand Rapids Gold (Nuggets). He put up big numbers, averaging 17.1 points, 5.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. He shot 44% overall, including 36% from 3-point range.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder signs Jared Butler, former Baylor guard, on two-way contract