NBA Comparison:

Strengths: A well-rounded forward with great qualities for a future role-player … Solid athlete with nice overall quickness … Great length … Extremely active on both ends of the court … Impressive player in transition … Uses his good strength and body control to finish plays around the rim … Doesn’t need to dominate the basketball to be effective offensively … Shows good instincts cutting to the rim … Catches the defense off-guard with a lot of backdoor cuts … Confident spot-up shooter, that does a lot of damage in the mid-range … Developed a solid pull up jumpshot as a senior … Aggressive when looking for contact … Shot 6.5 free throws a game in the 2010-2011 season on a very respectable 78.3% clip … An efficient passer (1.59 assist/turnover) that has the ability to make the simple plays to set up his teammates … Highly unselfish … Makes a big impact on the offensive glass, keeping possessions alive and getting a lot of tip-ins … Tough defender with all the tools needed to become very valuable in this area … Gets a lot of deflections with his long arms … Smart kid with a good head on his shoulders and a strong work-ethic …

Weaknesses: Good all-around player, but lacks any one great skill… Fits the "jack of all trades, master of none" mold … Not a stand-out athlete … Hasn’t proven that he can consistently create offense for himself … Not an isolation player, feeds off the play of his teammates … Could really open up his game by adding range to his jump shot … Hasn’t shown that he can be a consistent threat from behind the arc …

Overall: Like Wesley Matthews before him, Butler could really be a nice player if he lands in the right situation … Unlike many rookies in his draft class, Butler could see NBA playing time without hurting the team by playing poor defense or taking bad shots … That, coupled with his positive attitude and personality, should get him a few looks in the early second round … If he continues to improve his outside shooting ability, he might be one of this class’ sleepers …

Tyler Ingle 6/21/11