Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed profile of Donnie Butcher:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Donald L. Butcher
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on February 8, 1936 – Passed away on October 8, 2021 (85 years old at the time of his death)
  • Hometown: Williamsville, Kentucky, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 2 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: 25
  • Position: Shooting guard / Point guard
  • High School: Central City High School (Central City, Kentucky)
  • College: Pikeville College (now the University of Pikeville)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Knicks (1961–1962)
    • Detroit Pistons (1962–1966)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information about children is not widely documented.
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Donnie Butcher’s player archetype was that of a score-first combo guard, a backcourt player who could handle point guard duties but brought much of his value through shot creation, secondary playmaking, and steady offensive contribution. Defensively, he fit more as a positional guard defender than a true stopper, using his sturdy frame to compete across either guard spot while not being known primarily for disruption. Offensively, Butcher functioned as a ballhandler and scorer who could initiate sets, move between lead and off-guard responsibilities, and give teams a practical blend of passing and perimeter scoring. Physically, he was listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds and shot right-handed, which gave him good strength for a guard in his era even if he was not especially big by modern standards. His overall play style reads as tough, versatile, and offense-leaning: a compact guard who could create, facilitate in stretches, and slide between backcourt roles without needing the game built entirely around him. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Donnie Butcher Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More
Sports Reference — Donnie Butcher College Stats
StatMuse — Donnie Butcher – Detroit Pistons Point Guard