Washington Wizards Former Player Rasual Butler Killed in Car Crash

Former Washington Wizards player Rasual Butler died this morning in a single-vehicle crash at the age of 38. His wife also died in the accident.

Former Washington Wizards player Rasual Butler died this morning in a single-vehicle crash at the age of 38. His wife also died in the accident.

According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, Butler’s Range Rover struck multiple parking meters and a wall before rolling into a parking lot. Butler was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:35 A.M.

Butler was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft out of La Salle University by the Miami Heat. He spent three seasons with the Heat mostly playing off the bench before he was traded to the then-New Orleans Hornets in the largest trade in NBA history.

More from Washington Wizards

• Washington Wizards Officially Introduce Dwight Howard (Video)
• Washington Wizards Could Be Landing Spot for Dwight Howard
• Washington Wizards Trade Marcin Gortat to Clippers
• Washington Wizards Final NBA Mock Draft Roundup: First-Round Picks
• Washington Wizards 2018 NBA Draft Scouting Profile: Robert Williams

The trade involved the Heat, Hornets, Boston Celtics, and Utah Jazz and involved trading 13 players, including Antoine Walker, Eddie Jones, James Posey, and Jason Williams.

Butler spent four seasons with the Hornets and had what was likely his best season during the 2008-09 season. He averaged 11.2 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game, shooting 43.3% from the floor and 39% from three-point range.

Before the start of the 2009-10 season, Butler was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a conditional 2016 second-round pick. He played in Los Angeles for two seasons, starting for the 2009-10 season and having a similar year to his 2008-09 season.

In February of 2011, the Clippers waived Butler and he signed with the Chicago Bulls who let him go at the end of the season. He eventually spent the rest of his career playing some in the NBA D-League as well as with the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, and finally the San Antonio Spurs.

He only spent one season with the Washington Wizards during the 2014-15 season but averaged 20.1 minutes per game, the most sizable role he had had since his 2009-10 season with the Clippers.

Next: Satoransky's Improved Play Comes at Perfect Time for Wizards

While with the Washington Wizards, Butler averaged 7.7 points per game (again, the highest since the 2009-10 season) and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 42.2% from the floor and 38.7% from three-point range.