Lamont Butler Signs Contract with Atlanta
ATLANTA – Following a record-breaking season with the Kentucky men’s basketball program, Lamont Butler has signed with the Atlanta Hawks for the next step of his basketball career. Butler who came to Kentucky having hit one of the most memorable shots in Final Four history at San Diego State, averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game in 2024-25.
Butler is the third Wildcat to earn an NBA opportunity. He joins Koby Brea and Amari Williams who were second-round picks.
“I’m so proud of Lamont Butler,” UK head coach Mark Pope said. “He came and set records at Kentucky, while battling through injury and improving in just about every area of his game. Lamont has absolutely earned this opportunity.”
Butler started in all 27 games in which he appeared and was among the midseason finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and was a part of the Sporting News’ Midseason All-America Second Team. Butler tallied career-high marks from the field (.498) and from 3-point range (.391).
The 6-foot-2 guard scored in double figures in 14 games, including one of the most impressive individual performances in program history. Butler erupted for a career-high 33 points and was a perfect 10 of 10 from the field in a win over Louisville. That included making a career-high six 3-pointers. It was the second-most points scored by a Kentucky player against the Cardinals and his 10 made shots from the field tied for the third most without a miss in program history. For his efforts, he was named the Bluegrass Sports Commission MVP, the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week and a United States Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Week.
Butler led the team with 115 total assists and was second on the squad with 42 steals. He contributed team highs in points (18) and rebounds (6) in the Sweet 16 vs. Tennessee. He pitched in 14 points, five assists and three steals in the NCAA Tournament win over Illinois. Butler had 19 points and eight assists in the win over Florida inside of Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
Prior to his time at Kentucky, he was a 1,000-point scorer and a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year for San Diego State. The Aztecs reached the National Championship game in 2023 after Butler drained a buzzer-beating shot to send his team to the title contest. He finished his career with San Diego State ranking No. 5 all-time in steals (183), No. 6 in league victories (52), No. 9 in total wins (100) and No. 10 in assists (338). He was a three-time Mountain West All-Defensive Team selection and was a member of the 2023 NCAA All-Tournament Team.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and on the web at UKathletics.com.
