Ask anyone around the state and they will tell you that John Butler Jr. is next up. If the recent run of talent tells you anything, coming from the state of South Carolina, that means something.
Recently, South Carolina has produced some major talent. Especially the top player in each class, has been considered among the top prospects in the country. The likes of Sindarius Thornwell and LJ Peak, PJ Dozier, Seventh Woods, Jalek Felton and Nick Claxton, Zion Williamson, Josiah James, etc…have all claimed the top (two) spots in South Carolina as well as Top 30 or so spots in the nation.
South Carolina’s 2021 class is lining up to be as good of a class as any of them. Even the 2017 class which saw nice players get recruited at the high major level. The 2021 class is shaping up to have no shortage of high major prospects, with ten or so players at this time looking to be recruited at that level.
That group of players is led by 6’11” sophomore John Butler Jr. from Christ Church High School in Greenville, South Carolina. At the most recent Nike Elite 100 Camp, which brings the best underclassmen in the country together to compete each year, Butler measured an enormous 7’3” wing span.
Off the rip, Butler has the measurables. As you would think he is a high level to elite shot blocker and rim protector. He has natural timing both defending the ball as well as from the weak side.
Butler comes by his skill honestly. His mother, Casie Butler (formerly Casie Key) played at University of South Carolina from 1996-2000. She stands 6’3. Butler’s father, John, is the head coach at Christ Church. The savvy basketball mind has held court as the Head Basketball Coach at Cheraw and Eau Claire as well.
One would expect Butler to be an elite rim protector, standing at an athletic 6’11”. However, it is his offensive skill set that really opens your eyes. He is able to shoot the 3-ball with consistency, both off the catch and the bounce. Watching him play, throughout the course of a game, you will watch him rebound and push the break, two dribble pull ups (going both ways), finish above the rim and just overall ooze incredible skill and upside.
The South Carolina Top 80 is the premier exposure camp in South Carolina, bringing together the very best the state has to compete with and against one another. After his performance in last year’s prestigious South Carolina Top 80 we wrote, “Finishing up, we look at a player that truly has infinite upside on both ends of the floor, John Butler. He’s a true six-foot-ten and has incredible length, which he already knows how to effectively use on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he displays the ability to post up and finish with either hand quite well. Butler hasn’t filled out at all, but he already has a very polished game and doesn’t force any shots outside of his capabilities. On the defensive end is where Butler earns his playing time, as he showcases a phenomenal understanding of angles and timing in the lane and on weak side rotations. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it is the only thing he really needs to play at an elite level. Coach Porter on Butler: “John is a young big with a ton of potential. His defense is ahead of offense at this stage. He has lots of tools to work with and has the making of a nice face up game. John will be able to power inside once he adds weight/strength; he gave great effort and ran the floor with ease. He has an incredibly high ceiling that and will be one to watch in the class.” Butler could certainly become one of the top ranked players in his class sooner than later.”
Butler is one of those talents that is rare and doesn’t come around every year. Especially at a small 2A high school in South Carolina. Its fun to think about the future at Christ Church as well, as Butler has a brother who is a rising 8th grader who is already standing 6’7” and slated to be a major basketball prospect as well.
The blow up has already started, the end of July watched him pick up his first offer, which came from Virginia Tech, which was quickly followed by Baylor. Just this past weekend he grabbed two more offers with St Louis and Clemson jumping in. Butler is already ranked among the nation’s Top 20 players; however, he has the upside to develop into a To 5 type by the time it is all over.
John Butler Jr. is truly a unique talent.