February 7, 2007

Rasual Butler was one of 10 active NBA players who were invited to participate in a Basketball Without Borders trip to South Africa in September 2006.

The Hornets believe in community – even when that community happens to be halfway around the world. In September 2006, Hornets guard Rasual Butler participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders trip to South Africa. For a variety of reasons, the experience was a memorable one for Butler – and resulted in a unique friendship.

No matter how much they may have learned about South Africa’s problems by watching TV or from reading news reports on the internet, nothing could sufficiently prepare a group of NBA players for what they saw during their 2006 visit to the country.

One of 10 active NBA players chosen to participate in a league-sponsored Basketball Without Borders trip last September, Hornets guard Rasual Butler remembers the reaction several of his fellow pros had to witnessing the horrific conditions in South Africa’s capital city, Johannesburg.

“A lot of guys were crying,” Butler reports. “It was so tough to see that people still have to live that way in 2006. We went to one area of Johannesburg where there are 50,000 people sharing 30 water faucets. We saw some of the things that kids over there have to go through each day. We visited a hospital for children ages 12-and-under, where there are many kids living with HIV and AIDS.

“It was a humbling experience. I didn’t really realize how good we have it (in the United States),” Butler continued, shaking his head. “I thought I grew up in (a bad neighborhood in Philadelphia), until I saw what it was really like there.”

During the eye-opening five-day trip, which included basketball clinics for young South African players, Butler met 19-year-old Jerome Duplooy, a native of Johannesburg. The enthusiastic Duplooy, who quickly struck up a friendship with the five-year NBA veteran, served as an unofficial tour guide and explained in further detail some of South Africa’s serious issues. Butler was surprised by the fact that Duplooy had closely followed the role player’s five-year NBA career by watching games on the internet and reading box scores.

“I loved Jerome’s energy,” the 27-year-old Butler explained of how he and Duplooy bonded quickly. “And it’s not like I’m a star in this league, but he knew who I was. That touched me. I liked what he was about. He told me about his dreams, goals and aspirations. I just felt like I wanted to help him, because I’ve been blessed to be in a position where I can do that.”

Butler made good on that promise in a very personal way, by paying for Duplooy to travel to the United States and stay in Oklahoma City from Dec. 22 through mid-January. Duplooy traveled with the Hornets on their road trips, to cities such as Seattle and Dallas, and was interviewed on national television during TNT’s broadcast of the Hornets’ Jan. 4 home game vs. Detroit.

“I told him before I left South Africa in September that I would bring him over,” Butler said prior to the Hornets’ home game against San Antonio on Dec. 23. “I promised his mother that I would have him here in Oklahoma for the holidays. This is a time of giving, Christmastime. What better time to do it than during a time of giving?”

In turn, Duplooy, who describes himself as Butler’s “biggest fan,” provides the Philadelphia native with constant encouragement and his unique brand of basketball instruction.

“I feel like I am one of his coaches, and he just needs to listen to me more,” an earnest Duplooy said, sounding like he was only half-joking. “I feel that if he gets more (playing) time, he is going to be one of the best forwards in the league. Rasual is already one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the league.”

Upon hearing this, a grinning Butler responded: “Jerome is very motivational for me.

“The funny thing is, he’s always telling me to shoot the ball more. But I try to explain to him that I can’t just come down and fire up the ball every time I touch it!”

“I want Rasual to be a superstar in this league,” Duplooy continued, listing one of his lofty goals for his friend. “He’s developing into a star right now, and he’s age 27. By the age of 31, I guarantee he’s going to be a superstar in this league.”

“He has a lot of confidence in me!” interjected a laughing Butler, who has averaged about eight points and three bounds per game in his NBA career, primarily as a second-string player.

Butler says he plans to host Duplooy for future visits to America. Given Duplooy’s belief in Butler’s potential for greatness in the NBA, Butler was jokingly asked if Butler might be wise to have Duplooy make a presentation during all of the player’s future contract negotiations.

“That’s a really good idea,” a laughing Butler responded to the suggestion. “I definitely might have to do that.”

This Hornets Believe article will appear in the second issue of Hornets Magazine. Issue 2 of Hornets Magazine is highlighted by a cover story on the team’s “Breakthrough Performers” – Devin Brown, Jannero Pargo and Rasual Butler. The publication, a collector’s item that features extensive coverage of the Hornets, is available for purchase in the Ford Center at merchandise stands located at sections 101 and 105. Cost is $5.