Austin Butler would go on to pursue his basketball career beyond college. It was just a matter of location and country.
On Wednesday, his dream of playing professionally came true.
Butler, a 6-foot-5 guard from Latrobe, has signed a one-year contract with Kouvot club in Kouvola, Finland.
Butler ended a five-year college career with a fifth season at Charlotte, following a four-year run at Holy Cross.
He has since become a regular on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour playing with USA Basketball, most recently on the same team with his brother, Bryce, who stood out at West Liberty.
Austin Butler plans to leave for Kouvola on Monday.
“It’s been a dream since I was little and started playing,” he said. “To finally have signed to play professionally is a dream come true and I am very grateful for this opportunity.
“I want to play at the highest possible level in the future, so I am very grateful to Kouvot for the opportunity to start my professional career with this team and in a good league. I am ready to do whatever the team coaches ask me to win.
Butler averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in Charlotte, where he started all 31 games for the 49ers.
He scored 1,713 college career points.
Tervetuloa Kouvot -familyyn Austin!https://t.co/L2h5fZaU4q
— Kouvot Kouvola (@Kouvot) August 24, 2022
Kouvot coach Jyri Lehtonen said in a translated press release, “Our team needed throwing power and that’s what Austin really gives us. The third largest back in our system also requires rebounding power and pounds, which it also has. Austin understands the game, wants to defend, makes the right choices and is a motivated young man, it was easy to find consensus on the role in our team.
Butler is the second Latrobe graduate to turn pro this summer. Former backcourt teammate Jake Biss, a former standout point guard for Shippensburg, signed with a team in Poland in June.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a staff writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Bill by email at bbeckner@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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