Jimmy Butler became an NBA All-Star with the help of his supportive family. He was born on the outskirts of Houston. However, not by his biological parents. 

Growing up, Butler had no contact with his biological father and a less-than-ideal mother. She had these last words to say to her son when she was just thirteen years old:

You don’t seem attractive to me. No staying here. Envision your mother saying those words to you…”

This was an unfortunate truth for Jimmy Butler. But he refused to let himself be defined by his problems. Couch hopping was a common pastime of his throughout his junior and senior years of high school, when he would visit the homes of his friends and teammates.

It was a lifestyle that Jimmy adapted to and that worked for him at the time.

At the same period in his life, Jimmy Butler made the decision to retire from football.

Jimmy claims he despised summer football practices because he was afraid he would “get crushed” by the larger players and because he was only around 5 feet, 3 inches tall when he was 13 years old. His subsequent love affair with basketball gave rise to Jimmy Buckets.

Up until the summer before his senior year of high school, Jimmy didn’t stop moving houses. Wide receiver Jordan Leslie, who is currently a member of the Denver Broncos, had a life-altering experience as a freshman. They immediately hit it off and grew close, becoming more than just buddies.

It all began when Jordan invited Jimmy to spend the night at his house. A single evening blossomed into two, two into three, three into four, and the rest is history. Michelle Lambert, who is Jordan’s mom, welcomed Jimmy warmly. Even though there were seven other kids in the household, Michelle she made sure Jimmy had a good home.

For the first time outside of Texas, Jimmy Butler stayed at Marquette University in Wisconsin to play collegiate basketball, and Michelle continued to be his biggest fan.

As he battled homesickness, Butler contemplated quitting Marquette and returning to Texas, but his mom Michelle urged him to seize the chance. And I must say, her counsel was spot on.

While a junior at Marquette, Jimmy Butler was unstoppable and promptly entered the NBA draft. The Chicago Bulls would choose him with the last pick of the first round. Definitely the draft’s unsung hero.

In addition to being an NBA star—and a filthy rich one—Jimmy Butler, who had been homeless as a child, had a loving family with whom he could participate in his triumphs and goals.

Allow me to clarify. The point of sharing Jimmy Butler’s tale isn’t to make others feel sorry for him; rather, it is to celebrate his progress. When you have people at your side, anything is possible.