Bakersfield's Brian Butch Earns Impact Player Of The Year Award
Published on April 15, 2010 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
NEW YORK, April 15, 2010 - Bakersfield Jam center Brian Butch was named the NBA Development League's Impact Player of the Year as voted on by the NBA D-League's 16 head coaches, the NBA D-League announced today. Given to a player who joins an NBA D-League team following the start of the season, the Impact Player of the Year award honors an athlete who made the greatest contribution following his in-season acquisition.
"Brian came into Bakersfield and was a great example for the rest of our team in terms of his work ethic and his voice - he was a leader almost immediately after arriving here," said Bakersfield head coach Will Voigt. "He was a big lift for our team all season long, and we're all excited for him to have earned this award."
Butch appeared in 39 games, 38 starts, for Bakersfield, averaging 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds (second in the NBA D-League) and 1.7 assists in 33.9 minutes. He earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the Denver Nuggets on April 11.
Following his arrival in Bakersfield on Dec. 19, Butch scored in double figures 36 times and recorded 25 double-doubles. He tallied a season-high 33 points in a 120-109 road victory over the Tulsa 66ers on March 25, and pulled down a season-high 24 rebounds in a 102-97 victory over the Albuquerque Thunderbirds on Feb. 23, in Bakersfield.
Butch, a Wisconsin graduate, led the Jam in rebounding 30 times and was the team's leading scorer in seven games. The 2010 NBA D-League All-Star Most Valuable Player, Butch scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Dallas in February. The Jam finished the season with a 17-33 record.
"Brian joined the Jam this season and had an immediate impact on the team," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. "His contributions to Bakersfield during the course of the season were evident every night through his hard work, dedication, and commitment to developing his skills and elevating his team's performance."
Butch joins Eddie Gill (Colorado, 2009) and Morris Almond (Utah, 2008) as players who have received the NBA D-League's Impact Player of the Year award.
NBA G League Stories from April 15, 2010
- Idaho Stampede Guard Mildon Ambres Earns 2009-10 NBA Development League Most Improved Player Award - G League
- Bakersfield's Brian Butch Earns Impact Player Of The Year Award - G League
- Utah Flash Guard Andre Ingram Receives 2009-10 Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award - G League
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