Kentucky reportedly lands former NCAA Tournament hero in transfer portal
New Kentucky coach Mark Pope is rebuilding his squad through the transfer portal, and he is bringing in some experience to do it.
Former San Diego State guard Lamont Butler is expected to transfer to Kentucky, according to Jeff Goodman of Field of 68. Butler has one year of eligibility remaining.
The shot Butler made at the buzzer in 2023 that put San Diego State to the national championship game is what made him most renowned and cemented his legacy as an Aztec. But it was obvious that the senior intended to push himself further before his time in college came to an end.
Despite his notoriety from that one shot, Butler is not a prolific scorer. But as Pope attempts to establish the tone for the program, his experience and skill as a perimeter defender could be a huge asset in Lexington.
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Twitter celebrates Mark Pope and the Cats landing Lamont Butler
Coach Pope continues bringing in veteran transfers to build his roster.
Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are continuing to build the upcoming season’s roster in Lexington.
Coach Pope added a massive piece in San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler, who committed to the Cats on Friday.
Butler was crowned the 2023-24 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year for the Aztecs after averaging 9.3 points per game last season.
Butler appeared in all 37 games last season for SDSU, starting every game as well.
The newest Wildcat helped lead the Aztecs to the national championship game last season after hitting the buzzer-beater against FAU in the Final Four Semifinal.
Butler now joins Amari Williams as the two key transfers to commit to Coach Pope and Kentucky so far.
The two additions to Big Blue Nation bring immense defensive play that will be a huge help in a loaded SEC.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the big commitment for Kentucky!
LAMONT BUTLER, YOU ARE A KENTUCKY WILDCAT pic.twitter.com/kwdMjpF2jg
— Big Blue Carti (@BigBlueCarti) April 26, 2024
Mark Pope in two weeks on the job at Kentucky:
✅ Cody Fueger (BYU)
✅ Jason Hart (G League)
✅ Mark Fox (Georgetown)
✅ Alvin Brooks III (Baylor)
✅ Collin Chandler (BYU)
✅ Amari Williams (Drexel)
✅ Travis Perry (Kentucky)
✅ Lamont Butler (San Diego State)
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler, Otega Oweh, and Amari Williams could make a Kentucky top-10 defense in 2024-25.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler is one of the best defensive guards in the country. (3x MWC All-Defense, MWC DPOY)
Amari Williams is one of the best defensive bigs in the country. (3x CAA All-Defense, 3x CAA DPOY)
Emphasis on defense on Kentucky’s first two transfer commitments.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) April 26, 2024
Said when he was hired that Jason Hart would open up the west coast to Kentucky in a way it had never been before. Lamont Butler is a Riverside, Calif. native.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler’s AAU coach, Ryan Silver, confirmed the committed to UK after the Mark Pope and staff flew to Vegas to meet with his parents today.
And … special assistant Mark Fox is back in Lex with Saint Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney, another Silver guy, for his visit.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler how would you like to wear the Blue and White at Rupp Arena?
pic.twitter.com/mHIRMIYSZj
— Barstool Kentucky (@BarstoolUK) April 26, 2024
The Final Four shot was not the only buzzer beater that Lamont Butler poured in at San Diego State. https://t.co/XxbepmSe1Y
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) April 26, 2024
With Lamont Butler & Amari Williams, Kentucky has landed 2 Defensive Players of The Year! pic.twitter.com/RBTdDE1wTN
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler has a far better postseason resume by himself than Kentucky has had for the last half decade. https://t.co/fnZ8B0zYxG
— Shay B. (Kwisatz Haderach) (@abhavsar) April 26, 2024
Welcome to Kentucky Lamont Butler. Has already hit an Aaron Harrison type shot. https://t.co/9dLgfatVn9
— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler has committed to KENTUCKY!!!
Get older. Get more physical. Get better defensively. ✔️ ✔️✔️
131 games (102 starts). 6’2” 200lbs. 3x Mountain West All-Defense + DPOY last season.
9.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg as a senior at San Diego State.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) April 26, 2024
Lamont Butler performs when it matters.
In the last two seasons in postseason play:
▫️14 games
▫️10.3 PTS
▫️3.1 RBD
▫️3.4 AST
▫️37.8% 3PT (17/45)
All of these averages would be career highs for a full season. Butler SHOWS UP in March. pic.twitter.com/2pmq6AW5gg
— WT – Adou Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) April 26, 2024
Quick thoughts on Lamont Butler to Kentucky (with apparently a Rams watch party behind me)
Special talent. NCAA Tournament experience. And credit Mark Pope for closing this one in one sitting.
HUGE get for Kentucky. More on Mondays @AaronTorresPod pic.twitter.com/IBXBPJMPmV
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) April 26, 2024
San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to Kentucky! #BBN pic.twitter.com/K1zz9ZOS9F
— Josh Ragan (@dopesteditz1) April 26, 2024
