| Al Butler | |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lb: | 175 |
| Birth Date: | 9 July 1938 |
| Birth Place: | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Nationality: | American |
| High School: | East (Rochester, New York) |
| College: | Niagara (1958–1961) |
| Draft Year: | 1961 |
| Draft Round: | 2 |
| Draft Pick: | 17 |
| Draft Team: | Boston Celtics |
| Career Start: | 1961 |
| Career End: | 1970 |
| Career Number: | 22, 3, 20 |
| Career Position: | Point guard |
| Team1: | Boston Celtics |
| Years2: | – |
| Team2: | New York Knicks |
| Team3: | Baltimore Bullets |
| Years4: | 1965–1966 |
| Team4: | Trenton Colonials |
| Years5: | 1966–1967 |
| Team5: | Harrisburg Patriots |
| Years6: | 1967–1970 |
| Team6: | Wilkes-Barre Barons |
| Stats League: | NBA |
| Stat1label: | Points |
| Stat1value: | 2,282 (9.8 ppg) |
| Stat2label: | Rebounds |
| Stat2value: | 696 (3.0 rpg) |
| Stat3label: | Assists |
| Stat3value: | 530 (2.3 apg) |
| Highlights: |
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Elbert J. "Al" Butler (July 9, 1938 – July 12, 2000) was an American basketball player who played four seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Born in Birmingham, Alabama,[1] he played basketball for East High School in Rochester, New York, before playing collegiately for Niagara University.[2] He was named to the 1961 National Invitation Tournament All-Star team by the Associated Press, despite Niagara losing its only game, 68–71 against Providence.[3] [4]
He was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round (17th pick overall) of the 1961 NBA draft.[5] He played for the Celtics (1961), New York Knicks (1962–64) and Baltimore Bullets (1964–65) in the NBA for a total of 234 games. He started for the Knicks for Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, scoring 8 points.[6]
Butler was the last player to ever wear the number 22 for the Celtics, as they would retire it in honor of Ed Macauley in 1963.[7] [8]
Butler died of cancer on July 12, 2000. After his death, a scholarship was established in his name at Monroe Community College, where he had worked as a guidance counselor.
Source[1]
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 5 | 9.4 | .448 | .833 | 2.6 | .8 | 6.2 | ||
| New York | 54 | 36.5 | .463 | .705 | 6.0 | 3.7 | 14.7 | ||
| New York | 74 | 20.1 | .439 | .770 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 10.0 | ||
| New York | 76 | 18.1 | .422 | .738 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 8.7 | ||
| Baltimore | 25 | 6.9 | .329 | .733 | .8 | .5 | 2.4 | ||
| Career | 234 | 21.6 | .439 | .739 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 9.8 | ||