Latrobe grad Austin Butler to play pro basketball in Finland

Austin Butler was going to continue his basketball career beyond college. It was just a matter of where and in what country.

On Wednesday, his dreams of playing professionally came true.

Butler, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Latrobe, signed a one-season contract with the Kouvot club in Kouvola, Finland.

Butler completed a five-year college career with a fifth season at Charlotte, following a four-year run at Holy Cross.

He has since become a regular on the global FIBA 3x3 circuit playing with USA Basketball, most recently on the same team with his brother, Bryce, a standout at West Liberty.

Austin Butler plans to leave for Kouvola on Monday.

“It’s been a dream since I was little and started playing,” he said. “To finally have signed to play professionally, it’s a dream come true and I’m very thankful for this opportunity.

“I want to play at the highest possible level in the future, so I am very grateful to Kouvot for the opportunity to start my professional career with this team and in a good league. I’m ready to do whatever the coaching staff asks of me to win.”

Butler averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds at Charlotte, where he started all 31 games for the 49ers.

He scored 1,713 career points in college.

Tervetuloa Kouvot -familyyn Austin!https://t.co/L2h5fZaU4q

— Kouvot Kouvola (@Kouvot) August 24, 2022

Kouvot coach Jyri Lehtonen said in a translated news release: “Our team needed throwing power and that’s what Austin really brings us. The third biggest back in our system also requires rebounding power and pounds, which he also has. Austin understands the game, wants to defend, makes the right choices and is a motivated young man, it was easy to find a consensus on the role in our team.”

Butler is the second Latrobe graduate to turn pro this summer. Former backcourt teammate Jake Biss, a former Shippensburg standout point guard, signed with a team in Poland in June.