Butch Ready For Next Offer

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA -- Brian Butch is ready for the next big offer. It could happen in the next 24-48 hours. The school that might drop an offer on Butch's doorstep are the Tar Heels of North Carolina.

"I don't think about it really," Butch said. "I am not going to make any decision until the Fall anyway. It would be nice to get an offer from North Carolina. They have a great program and play in a great conference."

Butch has been dynamite throughout the tournament here in North Carolina. However, his team was eliminated and will not play in the quarterfinals tomorrow. Instead, Butch will tour the North Carolina campus and perhaps meet with the Tar Heel coaches. Then an offer? "I don't know," Butch said. "I just work as hard as I can and whatever happens...happens."

Butch, a 6-10, 215 pound forward from West Appleton H.S. in Appleton, Wis., has narrowed his school choice list down to eight schools -- Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Marquette, North Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Each school has offered except North Carolina. Butch visited Arizona from Apr. 27-29, and also has taken unofficial trips to Iowa, Wisconsin and Marquette. Butch is expected to attend the USA Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs next month, as well as the adidas ABCD Camp and the adidas Big Time Tournament in July. He'll attend the latter with his Fox Valley Skillz basketball program.

This past season, Butch averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks per contest.

What sets Butch apart from many of the top big men in the Class of 2003 are his skills away from the basket. He can spot up from just about anywhere on the perimeter, but he will need to add some strength and size to his skinny frame in the coming months in order to prepare for the rigors of the high Division I level. Making Butch even more effective is his willingness to battle for every loose ball. "I am going to try and add about 20 more pounds to my body," Butch said. "This will help me become a more complete player."

Butch said he has a 3.76 GPA and scored a 20 on the ACT, marks that would easily qualify him under current NCAA standards for freshman eligibility.