University of Massachusets Athletics
Jen Butler Drafted By Cleveland Rockers
April 25, 2003 | Women's Basketball
April 25, 2003
SECAUCUS, N.J. - University of Massachusetts women's basketball senior center Jennifer Butler (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was selected by the Cleveland Rockers in the second round of this afternoon's Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft. Butler, a 2002-03 honorable mention Associated Press All-American, was the 15th pick overall and third selection in the second round. Butler becomes the first Minutewomen to ever be drafted by a WNBA franchise and just the second player to play in the league. 1996 graduate Melissa Gurile played the 1997 season with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
"I am really excited," said Butler. "It was a lot to take in at first, but now it is starting to settle in. I am honored to have the privelege to go to Cleveland and help them next year."
Butler, who was also a 2002-03 Kodak All-American finalist and Region I selection, was the 2002-03 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year and a first team All-Conference selection. She was also named the Philadelphia Sports Connection's Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Conference first team member.
"I was absolutely thrilled when I saw Jen get drafted," said UMass women's basketball Head Coach Marnie Dacko. "I am extremely happy for her and her family. Jen worked so hard and we are very proud of her accomplishments. This is a tremendous opportunity for her and the entire UMass family will enjoy watching her continue to develop in the WNBA."
Butler finished her standout Minutewoman career in fifth place all-time in scoring with 1,490 points and was the school's all-time leading rebounder with 1,328 boards. She is the school's first player to reach the 1,000-plateau in both points and rebounds. Butler also finished first on the career charts in free throws attempted (688), an 11.6 rebound per game average and 239 steals. She finished third in the record book in free throws made (380) as well as blocks (139). Butler ranks first in conference history with 719 boards in regular season league games.
This year, Butler led the team and was second in the conference averaging 17.5 ppg. She also led the nation in rebounding, pulling down 14.7 boards a contest. She ranked 13th in the league shooting at a .460 clip from the field and was first averaging 2.43 steals a game. Butler was also fifth in the A-10 with 1.25 blocks per game.
Butler posted a double-double in 23 games this season, including three, 30-plus point performances and four, 20-plus rebounding games. She was a four-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Week and three-time Dinn Brothers/UMass Athlete of the Week selection. On Dec. 28, 2002, Butler scored 30 points and hauled in a career-best 30 rebounds at Florida, the fifth-highest single-game rebound tally in NCAA Division I history and most of any A-10 player and University of Florida opponent. The 30 boards against the Gators were also a school record and most in the history of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center for men or women. Two weeks later, in a home game against Temple, Butler scored a career-high 31 points in an overtime victory against the Owls. That was also a UMass Mullins Center record.
Cleveland finished the 2002 season with a 10-22 record and were seventh place in the WNBA's Eastern Conference.