Caron Butler has undoubtedly lived the American Dream although life was not always what it seemed for the motivational 2-time NBA All-Star and one-time NBA World Champion.
The Wisconsin-born former NBA star perennially whethered a very troubled and rough childhood and was frequently dealing cocaine at the tender age of 11 years old and was arrested 15 times by the age of 15.
As a 14-year-old, Butler was also officially sentenced to 16 months in a maximum security youth facility thereafter being arrested for bringing an unloaded gun and a packet of cocaine to school. Butler grew up in Racine, Wisconsin – which borders Lake Michigan – and has previously appeared on Oprah Winfrey to discuss his inspirational transformation in life where he traded the streets for success and followed his heart, passion and dream.
Butler initially caught the attention of coaches at an AAU basketball team in Racine, Wisconsin and subsequently as a junior at Racine’s Park High School, where Butler averaged 24 points per game and 11 rebounds per game; Butler earned all-state honors.
Thereafter, Caron Butler enrolled at Maine Central Institute in the North East where the Wisconsin native drew attention from the University of Connecticut; Butler played in the NBA for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings.
However, Caron Butler‘s unique legacy is more than achieving a dream of playing in the world’s most famous basketball league – the NBA.
Caron Butler‘s unlikely salvation in life came was when he fell in love with basketball inside a juvenile detention center as a teenager and it was during this period where Butler altered his lifestyle and left the shady activity on the streets forever.
Thereafter life serving time in a juvenile detention center as a teenager, Caron Butler became a devout Christian and began to change his life by reading Bible verses and viewing life with a different purpose.
“God puts stuff in front of you for a reason.” Butler said to the Christian Post, whilst adding “God put his hands on my life. [God] said, ‘I’m going to touch you so that you can touch others.’”
A police officer seemingly gave Caron Butler the benefit of the doubt during his teenage years and kept him from serving a decade in prison. The inspiring Butler went from working at Burger King as a kid to becoming an owner of six Burger King franchises across the United States thereafter succeeding in the NBA and becoming a multi-millionaire.
In addition, Butler released insightful autobiography “Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA” in September 2016 and continues to build on his entrepreneurial empire as a successful African-American business person.
“Caron (Butler) is an unbelievable role model, someone who got into trouble when he was young, then turned his life around and set a shining example for others.” – Dwayne Wade.
At present, Caron Butler is a highly dedicated member of the community and is vastly active with positive non-profit organizations that specialize in youth outreach and continues to score major points thereafter life in the NBA. Overall, Caron Butler‘s touching redemption story exhibits that true second chances in life are alive when you believe and succeed.
W| By Dean Perretta
