By the time Caron Butler was 15-years-old, he had already been jailed 15 times. A drug dealer who started selling at the age of 11, Butler served a 15-month prison sentence at 14 after he was arrested with cocaine and a firearm.
At the time, Butler’s chances of attending college and finding a way to the NBA seemed remote. But after being released from prison, Butler played basketball in high school and eventually earned a scholarship to the University of Connecticut. Now as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Butler stands as one of the best small forwards in the NBA. In a recent interview with rolling out, Bulter discussed his rise to stardom and his efforts to help wayward youth. –amir shaw
Why do you think you were attracted to life in the streets at such a young age?
The majority of my situation came from me knowing that I had a child on the way. I was a teenage father and was trying to provide a means to get some income. But … I should have gone legit, but I was punished for my crime.
Was there anyone who tried to reach out to you at that time?
There were mentors and people at the recreation centers, but all of that advice was going in one ear and out of the other. People would just come and speak to me when I was a youth going through the struggle. I knew they were coming from the heart, but I wasn’t feeling it. I feel like young people believe you more if you speak their language. That’s why it’s very important for me to get out and be a pillar in the community and tell my story. Because when I was coming up, dudes who were successful would never come back. They didn’t show the kids what could happen if you lived a certain way.
Along with speaking to kids, you give back by giving away 500 bikes per year. How did the Bike Brigade begin?
It’s been going on for six years now. I got involved when my cousin’s bicycle was stolen a couple of years ago. We called and reported it missing. The police told us [there] had been a couple bike thefts going in the neighborhood and started giving bikes away. I joined up with Walmart and the program just got bigger and bigger. So every year we give away 500 bikes and promote fitness.
There are a lot of NBA players who have the ability to do what you have done in the community, but every prominent player doesn’t give back. Why is it important for players to reach back and help?
Whether we like it or not, we are role models. We are what youngsters want to be like. We should invest by coming back and being pillars in the community. Seeing is believing. The smallest thing can change a life. I witnessed it firsthand because someone changed my life.
