Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Taj Gibson visited Butler’s old high school in Tomball, Tex., for a ceremony where they retired Butler’s jersey on Thursday.
Tomball High School basketball coach Brad Ball, who coached Butler until he graduated in 2007, helped present him with a framed No. 1. jersey along with photos of him in his Bulls and Cougars uniforms.
Butler posted an Instagram photo of himself and a dazed-looking Gibson taking in the scene: "when @tajgibson22 realize he finally in Tomball, Texas."
Butler also got a write-up in high school newspaper the Cougar Claw, which paired what looks like Butler’s yearbook photo next to a Bulls photo.
Claw reporter Alyssa Aceves quoted Ball, “When I think back to Jimmy’s time here at the THS, I always think about the hours that he and I had spent together in the gym or in the film room. Just the two of us. … His basketball IQ was off the charts, but he was constantly trying to improve to get better. I love seeing him smile as much I love seeing him smile now. He loves our game and works so very hard to be the best he can possibly at his craft. I think he will one day be elected to the Hall of Fame!”
Wade also congratulated Butler on Instagram while teasing him about his buck teeth and haircut in a young photo of him that Wade posted.
plthompson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @_phil_thompson
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