Jase Butler De-Commits from Illinois Basketball

BREAKING: Jase Butler De-Commits from Illinois Basketball

In a surprising news release, 2024 commit, Jase Butler, has decided to ask for his release from his national letter of intent to play for Illinois Basketball. Butler is a 4-star guard prospect out of San Francisco, California who signed with Illinois over many west coast school offers. The timing of this seems strange. Butler seemed to be locked in with Illinois and commented on the team’s March Madness run. Chester Frazier has recruited Butler hard and Brad Underwood seemed to like the combo guard very much. Additionally, Illinois even looked elsewhere in certain recruitments in favor of Jase Butler.

Butler was the third signee in the class of 2024 along with Morez Johnson Jr and Jason Jakstys.

Illini Men’s Basketball | Jase Butler – National Signing Day (youtube.com)

Where does Illinois Go?

Butler’s decision will not affect Illinois in the short term. They have some talented guards in the backcourt and are trying to add some experience through the transfer portal. However, that crowded backcourt and Jeremiah Fears arriving in 2025  may have made Jase Butler rethink his recruitment. This is difficult to swallow given that Jase Butler seems like a solid talent that Illinois Basketball does not have. Butler is a big, point guard who impressed with his competitiveness and basketball IQ.

Prep recruiting is really falling out of favor nowadays given the nature of the transfer portal and the littany of names available. As a result, Players who stay for multiple years at one school have become increasingly rare.