Raanana Hertzeliya signed guard Tasha Butts, University of Tennessee graduate. Butts is the 2nd foreigner to sign with the team this offseason.
LaTasha, or Tasha Butts (24, 5'11) if you will, will join Michelle Campbell in Raanana Hertzeliya for the upcoming season, the team is expected to sign a 3rd American player soon.
Butts spent her college career at the University of Tennessee, where she averaged 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game as a senior. During her 4 years, Butts helped the Lady Vols reach 3 Final Fours but failed to win the title. In 2004 Tennessee made it all the way to the championship game before losing to UConn. Out of Tennessee's starting 5 in that final, Butts will become the 3rd player to play in Israel, and in Raanana Hertzeliya in particular (the first two were Ashley Robinson & Shyra Ely). Other former Lady Vols that played in Israel include Michelle Snow, Gwen Jackson & Semeka Randall.
Butts began her career as a role player for the Lady Vols, but by her junior and senior year she became a key player. As a starter in 2004 she led the team in most statistical categories and made the All-SEC 2nd team.
Butts was drafted 20th overall in the 2004 draft by the Minnesota Lynx. She played in 30 games for the Lynx, and recorded 2.5 points & 2.1 boards in 14 minutes per game. During the offseason following her rookie season, Butts returned to Tennessee as a graduate assistant. This season Butts was signed by Charlotte on July 5th, but didn't see any playing time.
College basketball fans remember Butts was involved in one of the biggest controversies in NCAA tournament history. During the 2004 tourney, Tenn faced Baylor in the Sweet 16. With the score tied at 69, Tenn missed a fastbreak layup and as the players were fighting for the loose ball, the refs blew the whistle and sent Butts to the line with 0.2 left on the clock instead of letting the game go to overtime. Butts sank both to win the game. In the next round, the Lady Vols played Stanford and Butts hit the game winner with 1.7 left in the game, Tenn won 62-60 and made the final four.
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