Lawrence Butler (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Butler is a former American basketball player best remembered for leading NCAA Division I in scoring as a senior
in 1978–79
and then getting selected by the Chicago Bulls
in that year's NBA draft
, although he ultimately never played a game in the league. Lawrence was from Glasgow, Missouri
and played college basketball at Western Texas Community College
for two years before playing at Idaho State for his final two seasons.
In Lawrence's junior
year, his first at Idaho State, he averaged 23.8 points in 26 games played, which led the conference in scoring. The following season, Lawrence's per-game scoring average jumped to 30.1, beating out future Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson
of Michigan State
and Larry Bird
of Indiana State for the national scoring title. He was the first ever recipient of the Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
award and was selected to play in the Aloha Classic Basketball All-Star Game, in which the nation's top players were chosen to play. Butler scored a game-high 18 points as his West team defeated the Midwest team, 119–107.
After his collegiate career had ended, the Chicago Bulls
selected him as the 11th pick in the second round (33rd overall) but he never made the team's final roster. Butler never played a game in the NBA.
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
in 1978–79
1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
-Pre-season polls:The top 20 from the AP Poll during the pre-season.-Conference winners and tournaments:Of 22 Division I basketball conferences, 13 determined their league champion with a single-elimination tournament, while seven leagues sent their regular-season champion to the NCAA tournament...
and then getting selected by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in that year's NBA draft
1979 NBA Draft
The 1979 NBA Draft was the 33rd annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 25, 1979, before the 1979–80 season. In this draft, 22 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
, although he ultimately never played a game in the league. Lawrence was from Glasgow, Missouri
Glasgow, Missouri
Glasgow is a city in Chariton and Howard counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 1,263 at the 2000 census.The Howard County portion of Glasgow is part of the Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and played college basketball at Western Texas Community College
Western Texas College
Western Texas College is a community college founded in 1971 and located in Snyder in Scurry County, Texas. In addition to the main campus, a downtown Snyder location focuses on Workforce and Community Service...
for two years before playing at Idaho State for his final two seasons.
In Lawrence's junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
year, his first at Idaho State, he averaged 23.8 points in 26 games played, which led the conference in scoring. The following season, Lawrence's per-game scoring average jumped to 30.1, beating out future Basketball Hall of Famers Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
of Michigan State
1978–79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
The 1978–1979 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.-Regular season:...
and Larry Bird
Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
of Indiana State for the national scoring title. He was the first ever recipient of the Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given to the Big Sky Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1978–79 season. Only one player—Larry Krystkowiak of Montana—has won the award three times...
award and was selected to play in the Aloha Classic Basketball All-Star Game, in which the nation's top players were chosen to play. Butler scored a game-high 18 points as his West team defeated the Midwest team, 119–107.
After his collegiate career had ended, the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
selected him as the 11th pick in the second round (33rd overall) but he never made the team's final roster. Butler never played a game in the NBA.