Jordan Butler dominates those around him. His 7-foot, 195-pound frame sticks out like a sore thumb, even in the gym with other basketball players. That size (and of course, his interior defense, rebounds and touch around the rim) is part of what makes the four-star rookie so coveted.
On Wednesday afternoon, the rookie of the class of 2023 made his decision to go to university. Butler announced to a gymnasium full of students that he would be playing for the Missouri Tigers basketball program.
“Everything from the coaching staff to the style of play (Missouri separate),” Butler told reporters after the announcement. “The biggest thing was how they were developing their players, taking them to the league. Their resume is really good…I want to play an NBA player and I think that’s my best chance (in) Missouri.”
Butler is the No. 119 recruit nationally in the Class of 2023, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is the No. 2 recruit at South Carolina behind Legacy Early College (Greenville) four-star Coen Carr. A center, Butler is No. 15 in position in this year’s senior class nationally.
He chose Missouri over his other two finalists, South Carolina and Auburn.
Butler said he knows where he will go on Saturday. According to 247Sports.com, the senior has held offers from eight Division I basketball programs. He has also held offers from Wake Forest, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Alabama. Butler said the process was stressful and he was happy to complete his recruiting ahead of his senior season.
“I’m glad I’m done,” Butler said.
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His older brother, John Butler, spent the 2021-22 season at Florida State but left for the NBA after just one season playing for the Seminoles.
“Not just as a coach, but as a father – you’re just proud,” said Christ Church boys’ basketball coach John Butler Sr., who is the father of John Jr. and Jordan Butler. “Just proud to see your kids achieve their dreams and what they’ve worked so hard for. It’s a proud moment.”
During Butler’s junior season, he led Christ Church to a 19-6 (9-2 Region 1-AA) record while averaging 14.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game . During the 2020-21 season, he and his older brother John led the Cavaliers to a Class AA state championship. Christ Church defeated Gray Collegiate for the 2021 AA State Championship that season.
Last season, Christ Church fell in the second round of the AA playoffs to Landrum, 64-48.
Joe Dandron is a reporter covering high school athletics for The Greenville News. Contact him at [email protected] and 864-415-6213. Joe is a graduate of Michigan State University and a native of Montague, Michigan. He started covering high school sports for The News in 2021.