Danny Butt Recruiting Update
Brothers Danny Butt and Steven Fitzgerald splashed onto the recruiting scene over a year ago. For the last two summers the pair have been running with Louisville Magic, making an impact with their game. The bouncy Fitzgerald earned a half…
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Continue ReadingBrothers Danny Butt and Steven Fitzgerald splashed onto the recruiting scene over a year ago. For the last two summers the pair have been running with Louisville Magic, making an impact with their game.
The bouncy Fitzgerald earned a half dozen offers last year. North Carolina State jumped into the picture mid-July. Tennessee Tech offered Danny first, while several other schools hover.
When he was younger Butt looked like an undersized power forward, until the ball found him. He passes so well that he projects as a college guard at either guard spot. His stocky upper body tends to fool coaches, but the game is undeniable. Butt’s court vision and eagerness to create separate him from other 2018 guards in Kentucky.
In the last few months Butt noticed improvement in his “athletic ability and probably my decision-making,” said Butt. “We played in one team camp (Chattanooga) and a lot of high school camps.”
Chattanooga (29-6, 15-3) is enjoying a revival, courtesy of a young, talented coaching staff. Matt McCall and his assistants wove a magic web in year one.
“I met all their players and all their coaches,” said Butt. “It was really nice.”
While some players relate better to younger coaches, others have trouble seeing young coaches as leaders or mentors.
“My (Pulaski County) high school coach right now is under 40,” references Butt. “He is a good coach. I like how he coaches and how he is directing us in the right way. Not just on the basketball court, but off the basketball court.”
With the Magic, Butt played combo guard. He played both shooting guard and point guard, depending on what the situation called for. Colleges will get another year+ of evaluating the brothers.
“Samford has picked up in the last month or two,” said Butt. “Samford signed both Christen Cunningham and Matt Rose out of Kentucky. Though Rose transferred out, Samford are again heavily recruiting multiple players around the state (Anthony Wales, J.J. Reed, Ahmad Price, Willie Hill, Butt, Fitzgerald).
Of note is another Samford signee. Danny’s older step-sister, Samantha signed to the Samford women’s basketball program last November. She will begin school in Birmingham this month. For a family as close as they are, Samford continues to be a realistic option for both younger brothers.
Steven maintains contact with “Middle Tennessee, VCU, Samford, Florida, Stanford, Toledo, Cincinnati, Xavier, and Vanderbilt.” Old Dominion offered. Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech both offered. Middle Tennessee hosted him recently.
He is finally able to play the position he projects beyond high school.
“I am playing more of a two-guard,” said Fitzgerald. “It is what I have always wanted to play. It is just what comes natural to me.”