Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Jimmy Butler Changes His Jersey Name For Rest Of NBA Career To Honor His Late Father
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Golden State Warriors News & Analysis > Jimmy Butler Changes His Jersey Name For Rest Of NBA Career To Honor His Late Father

Jimmy Butler Changes His Jersey Name For Rest Of NBA Career To Honor His Late Father

Jimmy Butler honors his late father by officially changing his jersey name to "Butler III," marking a deeply personal tribute to his family legacy.

Vishwesha Kumar
Feb 12, 2025
5 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Jimmy Butler has officially changed his jersey name to “Butler III,” marking a significant and deeply personal tribute to his late father. The Golden State Warriors star made the change ahead of his team debut on February 8, exactly one year after the passing of his father, Jimmy Butler Jr. This move, which Butler confirmed will remain for the rest of his NBA career, is his way of honoring the man who shaped him, even through a turbulent childhood.

“Because I am the third and it’s actually a year [ago] today of the passing of my father. This was big for me to change it and realize that I am his son. So I’m very grateful, and that’s why I’m Butler III now.”

After his first game with the Warriors—a dominant 132-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls—Butler revealed the emotional reason behind his jersey change. 

Butler has always been known as one of the NBA’s most intense competitors, but he’s also a player with an incredibly complex personal story. He famously had a rough upbringing, experiencing homelessness as a teenager before forging his own path to NBA stardom. 

While his relationship with his biological parents was distant during his early years, he eventually reconnected with them as an adult. His father’s passing in 2024 profoundly impacted Butler, as documented in the Netflix series Starting 5, which detailed how Butler took private flights during the 2023 NBA Finals to visit his father in the hospital.

The news of his father’s illness came just before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2023, and despite carrying that emotional burden, Butler led the Miami Heat to victory over the Boston Celtics before ultimately losing to the Denver Nuggets in the Finals. He later took a brief leave of absence from the Heat when his father passed away in February 2024, missing a few games to grieve and be with his family.

Butler III is no longer just a symbolic tribute but a permanent part of his identity. The Warriors’ newest acquisition has also made another change, switching his jersey number from 22 to 10, a nod to Brazilian soccer legend Neymar, one of his sports idols. However, it is the name on his back that carries the most meaning, as Butler has made it clear he wants to represent his father in every game he plays moving forward.

In his Warriors debut, Butler put up an impressive 25 points, showcasing his ability to seamlessly fit into Golden State’s system alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Two nights later, in a 125-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Butler contributed another well-rounded effort despite struggling from the field. He finished with 20 points on 4-of-12 shooting but made his impact felt elsewhere, grabbing nine rebounds, dishing out six assists, and recording four steals in 31 minutes.

His emotional tribute did not go unnoticed, as fans and players alike acknowledged the significance of the moment. Butler later took to social media to further express his feelings, writing: 

“One year since I lost my pops. Love you and miss you so much! Life is so good right now.”

one year. since I lost my pops. love you and miss you so much! ❤️ HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a HELLA GOOD FRIEND/MOTHER/WIFE, (you know who you are)… and a damn DUB for DUB NATION 💛💙! life is so good right now. pic.twitter.com/qs2y7Ulljq

— Jimmy Butler (@JimmyButler) February 9, 2025

Jimmy Butler III has entered a new phase of his career, both personally and professionally. While his move to Golden State represents an opportunity to chase another championship, his name change represents something even more profound—a lasting tribute to the father he lost but will never forget.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Golden State Warriors ArchiveJimmy Butler
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article Suns Are Expected To Trade Kevin Durant This Summer
Next Article NBA Insider Hints Charlotte Hornets Could Explore Trading LaMelo Ball In The Offseason
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to media before a Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Got Blown Out By Suns In Preseason Opener

October 4, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Trolls Deandre Ayton During Lakers-Suns Game

October 4, 2025
Lonzo Ball
Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis

Lonzo Ball On Track For Major Redemption Season, Turning Heads At Training Camp

October 4, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Denver Nuggets Guard Declares They Have The Best Starting Five In The NBA

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?