Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Al Butler was a dependable NBA forward whose rebounding, interior defense, and fundamentally sound frontcourt play earned him rotation minutes with the New York Knicks and other teams during the early 1960s. A physical role-playing big man, Butler contributed through hustle, screening, and reliable paint presence while fitting seamlessly into team-oriented lineups.

Here is the detailed profile of Al Butler:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Albert “Al” Butler
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on July 9, 1938 – Passed away on April 8, 2000 (61 years old at the time of his death)
  • Hometown: Rochester, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters)
  • Weight: 180 pounds (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 3 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: 22 (Boston Celtics), 3 (New York Knicks), 20 (Baltimore Bullets)
  • Position: Shooting guard / Point guard
  • High School: Madison High School (Rochester, New York)
  • College: Niagara University (1958–1961)
  • NBA Draft: 1961, 2nd round, 17th overall pick by the Boston Celtics
  • Teams Played For:
    • Boston Celtics (1961–1962)
    • New York Knicks (1962–1964)
    • Baltimore Bullets (1964)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information about children is not widely documented.
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not publicly available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Al Butler’s player archetype was that of a scoring point guard: a lead guard who could run the offense but also carry real shot-making responsibility, especially given his strong scoring output at Niagara and his 14.7 points per game season with the New York Knicks. At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, he had solid backcourt size for his era, and his defensive role was most naturally as a point-of-attack guard defender matching up with opposing ball-handlers. Offensively, Butler profiled as a primary or secondary creator rather than a pure table-setter, blending perimeter scoring with competent playmaking, and his overall play style looks like that of a poised, score-first floor general who could handle, initiate, and keep pressure on a defense without being solely dependent on volume passing. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

Al Butler played with the temperament of a guard who valued control over spectacle. He wasn’t trying to overwhelm defenders with speed every trip down the floor; instead, he patiently steered possessions until the defence revealed the opening it wanted to hide. What stands out is how comfortable he was operating from the mid-range. He’d come off a screen, keep the defender on his hip for an extra dribble and rise into a balanced jumper before the help defender could fully engage, and if that second defender committed too aggressively, he’d calmly deliver the ball to the next man rather than forcing a difficult finish. His passing was built on timing more than creativity. Butler consistently made the correct read without chasing highlight assists, which kept the offence flowing and teammates involved. Defensively, he relied on anticipation and positioning. He stayed attached through screens, understood when to shade ball-handlers toward help and rarely abandoned the team structure in search of steals. That discipline made him dependable, although there were limitations. Bigger, stronger guards could create separation with physicality, and he wasn’t the sort of explosive shot creator who could rescue stagnant possessions by manufacturing offence from nothing late in the clock. That’s the trade-off. To me, Butler’s ideal role was beside an aggressive scoring guard or wing, allowing him to organise possessions, make quick decisions out of secondary pick-and-rolls and provide steady perimeter defence without carrying the burden of creating every advantage himself. His style brings to mind Randy Brown because of the understated balance between ball-handling and defensive responsibility, while there are elements of Eric Snow in the way he prioritised sound decisions, controlled tempo and quietly gave structure to an offence without demanding attention for it.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Al Butler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Niagara University Athletics — Niagara Announces First All-Century Team
Sports Reference CBB — Al Butler College Stats