"It was summer in the offseason, coming in like he's walking on water. "Jesus Shuttlesworth," Butler said, smiling. UConn Men's Insider: Five Things Learned From The Huskies' Nail-Biting Win Over Tulsa Yes, it all happened.īutler, now in his 14th NBA season with the Sacramento Kings, talked about the ride from Bradley Airport on Saturday, reflecting on how time passes so fast, remembering trips to the 7-Eleven, the dorm rooms, the late-night shoot-around, seeing Ray Allen for the first time. After convincing Butler he was not ready for the NBA after his freshman year, Calhoun told him the time was ripe in 2002. Butler, who hit a huge turnaround jumper, was named the tournament MVP. Everything we talked about that night actually happened." I'm going to run around.' I was just like, 'I just hope coach lets me go to the NBA this time.' All those thoughts run through your head. "Guys are like, 'This is what I'm going to do with the trophy. We had a curfew but we just couldn't sleep. We stayed up until 4 or 5 in the morning. "Me, Taliek, Johnnie, all of us, we couldn't sleep," said Butler, who was Big East Player of the Year. "I just want to say anything is possible."įormer UConn star Caron Butler became the newest member of the Huskies of Honor prior to the UConn men's game against Tulsa Saturday night.Īnything was possible that night in a Manhattan hotel room, before the 2002 Big East championship game against Pittsburgh. "He gave me an opportunity to live my dreams," Butler told the fans. He fought back tears as he thanked the school, thanked his UConn teammates and all the UConn players, and especially thanked Calhoun. He fought back tears as he watched a video, and as his place among the "Huskies of Honor" was unveiled on the wall at Gampel Pavilion at halftime of UConn's 75-73 victory over Tulsa. "It made the whole night right off the top."Īccompanied by his entire family, Butler fought back tears as he gave Calhoun a giant hug.
"It was extremely emotional," Butler said. He had heard that Jim Calhoun, the one who took a chance on him all those years ago, might not be able to make it.Īnd then Caron Butler caught Calhoun out of the corner of his eye. STORRS - He hadn't expected to see his old coach on this cold, cold February night.
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