TJC will honor NBA star and TJC alumnus Jimmy Butler when he returns to TJC for a special exhibition game Saturday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m.
The exhibition game will take place in Wagstaff Gymnasium on the TJC main campus and is open to the public with no ticket required. Before the game, Butler will be inducted in the TJC Sports Circle of Honor and given a signature gold jacket.
Halftime activities will include the “Jimmy Butler TJC Promise Shootout” presented by Citizens 1st Bank. The match will feature student representatives from public high schools currently participating in the TJC Promise program. Students will compete for monetary prizes that will be dedicated to endowed community scholarship funds in support of the Promise program. These endowments will provide TJC scholarships in perpetuity to deserving students that have participated in the TJC Promise.
The former Apache standout was playing basketball at Tomball High School in 2007 when TJC Head Basketball Coach Mike Marquis recognized his talent. Butler quickly became a TJC team leader with his strong work ethic and ability to communicate with others. He led the Apaches in scoring, with 19 points per game. He went on to play for Marquette University and in 2011, he was picked 30th overall in the NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. He is a four-time NBA All-Star and was named NBA Most Improved Player in 2015. The 2016 Olympic gold medalist was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017 and averaged 22 points during his first season.
In 2016, the “Legends of TJC” program was created to honor the College’s most notable, living alumni. During the event, Butler will also be named a Legend of TJC and will join other distinguished TJC alumni including Admiral Bobby Inman and Christian singer/songwriter Chris Tomlin who both received the honor in 2017.