Aug. 11, 2010
CHICAGO- Former UIC forward Jeremy Buttell recently announced that he has signed a professional contract with BC Musel Pikes of the Diekirch League.
Buttell will depart for Luxembourg, where Musel Pikes is based, on Aug. 19. The preseason begins for "JB" and his new team on Aug. 22, and the regular season opener takes place Oct. 5.
"I am excited about the opportunity," said Buttell. "I really wanted to keep playing basketball, and this is a good opportunity and a good start to that goal."
Buttell is coming off of a banner senior season in which he averaged 12.2 ppg and a team-high 7.5 rpg. He averaged 6.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg during his three-year career at UIC.
One of his most memorable moments in a UIC uniform was his tie-breaking three-point basket with 42 seconds left that led the Flames to a road upset of Georgia Tech back on Dec. 14, 2008.
Buttell has his eyes locked in on helping his new team win a title.
"I am going in looking to have a good year and help the team win the league," Buttell said, noting that a league championship will elevate BC Musel Pikes to Euroleague and allow the squad to play all over Europe.
"I have only been to Spain before, so I am excited to see another part of the world," said Buttell.
Buttell said that the biggest adjustment will be placing 100% focus on basketball since that is now his job after spending the last five collegiate years as "a student first, then an athlete." He also said his four years at UIC helped him achieve this goal in many ways.
"The hard work I put in at UIC definitely helped, and the opportunity to play good competition while at UIC was a key in preparing me for this new journey."
Buttell had a message for Flames fans as he prepares to trek across the Atlantic and pursue his dream of playing professional basketball.
"Thank you for all your support," Buttell said to the Flames faithful. "Playing at UIC was an amazing experience, and your support throughout was something that I will never forget. I will always be a part of the Flames, and I will definitely be at some games this year when we have our break."
Check uicflames.com for more updates and exclusives on Jeremy's journey and other former Flames in professional basketball.
