Time as a Wildcat a "one-of-a-kind experience" for Lamont Butler: "There was nothing like playing for Kentucky."

Mark Pope searched far and wide for the perfect point guard to set the tone for his first season at Kentucky. There were flashier options with better counting stats, but none embodied winning more than San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler — he did have a game-winner in the Final Four under his belt, after all.

He never averaged double-figure scoring or shot better than 42 percent from the field and 34 percent from three in four years as an Aztec, but the Moreno Valley native was the ultimate competitor and would put his life on the line for his coaches, teammates and program. It’s why he was a fan-favorite at SDSU, and why he’d go on to be the same at UK.

It was a perfect match, Butler leading the Wildcats to their first Sweet 16 since 2019 with his brightest individual moment coming in the game that matters most to Big Blue Nation: 33 points on 10-10 shooting in a win over Louisville.

He felt the same way about his time in blue and white.

“It was a one-of-a-kind experience, man. There was nothing like playing for Kentucky,” Butler said on the Aztecs Wrap-Up Show with Jon Schaeffer and Jim Russell this week. “I had an awesome year. We had a great group of guys, a team that was really good, I think — we were derailed by some injuries. The people that were in the program, Coach Pope and his staff, they’re all awesome. Their fans were great. I really enjoyed my one year there.”

It comes after a career reaching legendary status at SDSU, joining the 1,000-point club while finishing ranked No. 5 all-time in steals as a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He couldn’t have finished as a Wildcat without his start as an Aztec.

“I mean, I just think I’ve been blessed to go to two schools where the fanbases are amazing,” Butler said. “Just a rich culture of history between both, I just had an awesome time in college.”

Now, after five successful years in college, it’s time to take on life in the NBA. He signed a two-way deal with the Atlanta Hawks as an undrafted free agent and will suit up alongside the likes of Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis — plus Jacob Toppin, if you want to keep it in La Familia.

What was it like hearing his phone ring after the draft and realizing his professional dreams were set to become a reality?

“Man, it just felt like a dream come true,” Butler said. “To get a call from an NBA team and for them to want you to be a part of their organization, it’s just something I’ve been working for my whole life. It’s really just a blessing to have this opportunity that many want to have, but not many do.

“For me to have my foot in the door, I’m just ready to take this opportunity and run with it. Hopefully, I can continue to grow my game and grow as a person.”

Butler averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game in 2024-25, starting in all 27 games in which he appeared and shooting career-highs overall (49.8 percent) and from three (39.1 percent).

His now-former Kentucky coach believes he’s ready for the NBA spotlight after perfecting it in college.

“I’m so proud of Lamont Butler,” Pope said. “He came and set records at Kentucky, while battling through injury and improving in just about every area of his game. Lamont has absolutely earned this opportunity.”

Show ’em what you’re made of, No. 1.