Tomball native Jimmy Butler has gone from homeless teenager to high-school basketball star; junior college player to the lights of March Madness; Tomball to the home of Michael Jordan. If it’s gone to his head he certainly doesn’t act like it.

“To go from the underdog from nowhere to where I am now means a lot,” Butler said. “But now I’ll be playing the best of the best and I’ve got to work hard.”

Butler started his journey at 13, kicked out by his mother and nowhere to go. He bounced around several of his friends houses until he met Jordan Leslie.

Leslie, who now plays football at Texas-El Paso, is a few years younger than Butler and immediately bonded with the homeless teen over a game of pickup basketball. Soon Butler was staying at Leslie’s home, playing video games, eating dinner, sleeping on the couch.

Leslie’s mother, Michelle Lambert, was hesitant at first − with seven other mouths to feed, it wasn’t an ideal situation for her and her husband.

Eventually the hesitation changed to jubilation, as she fell for the kid’s warm heart and need for a family. She told Butler he could stay for good.

After graduating from Tomball High School, his all-district performances still weren’t enough to draw interest from major colleges, so Butler headed to Tyler Junior College. His performances there led to scholarship offers galore. Butler chose Marquette.

After a successful stint at Marquette, Butler was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bulls, fulfilling a lifelong wish.

“My dream came true,” Butler said.

Then came the NBA lockout.

The National Basketball Players Association could not come to terms with team owners on a new collective bargaining agreement, so owners locked the players out. The work stoppage meant that rookies, like Butler, couldn’t negotiate contracts, get paid or start their careers.

Butler attempted to stay focused, continued to work out, but admits it was tough. He spent time with friends and former teammates, in Tomball, Los Angeles and at Marquette.

“I’ve done a lot of working out,” he said. “Everyone from high school kids back (in Tomball) to my teammates from Marquette. I did it all to hopefully be ready when the time comes.”

With the lockout over and the NBA season fast approaching, Butler has reported to Chicago to begin the work of a professional basketball player, on one of the most famous teams in the world.

Playing in Chicago, on the same court as Michael Jordan, is a humbling experience for Butler. He has received advice from the Bulls new star, Derrick Rose, about life in the NBA.

“We’ve hung out and he talked to me about rookie transitions,” Butler said. “He helped me a lot.”

Butler insists the experiences won’t change him; he even changed his Twitter name to show the world he is proud of where he came from.

“It’s @mr_2eight1,” he said. “281 is the area code in Tomball and twenty one is my number with the Bulls.”

“I know where I am from,” he added. “I’ll always be Jimmy Butler, just a normal kid from Tomball.”

A normal kid, who overcame an abnormal situation and has a lot to be thankful for.

Photo Courtesy Marquette University

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