Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Jimmy Butler grow up and why did he become homeless at 13?
Jimmy Butler grew up in Tomball, Texas. His mother kicked him out at age 13, telling him she didn't like the look of him, and his father had abandoned the family when Jimmy was just an infant, leaving him with nowhere to go.
Who took Jimmy Butler in when he had no place to live?
The Leslie family took Jimmy Butler in after he befriended their son Jordan Leslie through basketball. Michelle Lambert, Jordan's mother, eventually agreed to take Jimmy in permanently after months of the kids sneaking him extra nights at the house.
Why didn't Jimmy Butler get a Division I scholarship offer coming out of high school?
Butler didn't play AAU basketball, which is where most Division I scouts evaluate players and scholarships are generated. Despite averaging 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game his senior season, he had no Division I offers.
What college did Jimmy Butler attend before transferring to Marquette?
Jimmy Butler first enrolled at Tyler Junior College, where he made an immediate impact by dropping 34 points in his first conference game and earning honorable mention JUCO All-American honors before receiving offers from major programs.
Why did Jimmy Butler choose Marquette over other college offers?
His adoptive mother Michelle Lambert advised him to choose Marquette for its strong academic reputation, telling him basketball may not work out long-term and that he needed a solid education and degree to fall back on.