Lamont Butler #5 of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates with teammates after making a game winning basket to defeat the Florida Atlantic Owls 72-71 during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at NRG Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP
San Diego State Final Four hero Lamont Butler announced Monday that he is declaring for the NBA draft.
Butler said on Twitter that he will retain his college eligibility.
Butler permanently etched his name in San Diego State lore by swishing a buzzer-beating shot as time expired to give the Aztecs a 72-71 victory over Florida Atlantic in the Final Four. The shot elevated San Diego State to the national championship game, where it fell 76-59 to UConn.
“I would also like to thank my family, friends, coaches, teammates and fans for their continued support,” Butler said. “I’m excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility.”
Butler was a member of the All-NCAA Tournament team after scoring in double digits in three of the Aztecs’ six games.
Butler averaged 8.8 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds and accumulated 57 steals and 40 3-pointers in 39 games (38 starts) for the Aztecs this season. The two-time All-Mountain West Defensive Team selection has 127 career steals in 94 games (65 starts).
In high school at Riverside Poly, Butler broke the record for most points set by basketball legend Reggie Miller.