PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Brian Butch has long dreamed of playing in the NBA. But what does it say for his chances when, as one of 64 college senior players in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last week, he wasn’t impressing a man like Thierry Chevrier?
Chevrier, director of the Cholet Basket team in France’s top pro league, spread the fingers on one hand and tilted it from side to side when asked what he thought of Butch, who recently concluded his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin.
“He’s a very good 3-point shooter but he must play harder underneath,” Chevrier said in accented English while adjusting his black-rimmed glasses. “He runs well and he is big but he plays a little small.”