When Mark Pope was hired as the new Kentucky basketball coach in the Spring, he had to completely rebuild the roster. Among some of the flashier players he brought in, like three-time Defensive Player of the Year Amari Wiliams and elite shooter Koby Brea, was point guard Lamont Butler.
Butler played for four seasons at San Diego State and was a key member of the team that made the 2023 Final Four. Now, he’s at Kentucky, and is the Wildcats most important player.
Against Louisville, Butler played his best game, scoring 33 points while shooting 10-for-10 from the floor. However, he’s not just valuable for his scoring.
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One of the reasons Pope recruited Butler was his defense, and he has been excellent in that regard. Opponents are shooting just 27.5% from three point range, and he is a part of that. He’s a terrific on-ball defender, who can lock down opposing guards.
Butler has also been a clutch shooter this season, making 33% of his three-point attempts. He has also been terrific at driving to the basket and getting easy buckets or fouled in the attempt. He’s shooting over 60% from the field as a whole.
Kentucky has a deep, talented, and experienced roster, and any player can take over a game on any give night. However, it’s Butler that makes it go with his defense and passing ability. He’s a leader and plays hard every time down the floor. If the Wildcats make noise in March, he’ll certainly be a huge part of it.
