Uma notícia triste abalou o mundo da NBA nesta quarta-feira (31). O ex-jogador Rasual Butler morreu aos 38 anos após um acidente de carro ocorrido em Los Angeles, Califórnia. Sua esposa, a cantora pop Leah LaBelle, estava junto e também veio a falecer. A informação foi confirmada pelo Miami Heat, sua primeira equipe na NBA, através das redes sociais da franquia.

Butler foi selecionado no Draft de 2002 pelo próprio Heat e disputou 13 temporadas na NBA, passando por 8 equipes no total. Além do time de Miami, vestiu as camisas de New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards e San Antonio Spurs, tendo sido 0 time do Texas sua última equipe, em 2016.

(Foto: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and many friends of Rasual and Leah. They will be missed. pic.twitter.com/djezmpHd5h

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 31, 2018

A morte precoce do ex-jogador chocou muitos de seus ex-companheiros, que usaram suas redes sociais para lamentar o ocorrido. Kyle Lowry relembrou o dia em que Butler foi draftado e atendeu sua ligação, exaltando sua humildade ao atender um fã de apenas 16 anos à época. Dwyane Wade, por sua vez, disse que ‘o mundo perdeu um cara muito bacana’, e Paul Pierce disse estar muito triste com a notícia de um grande amigo e ex-colega de equipe.

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I remember I called you when you got drafted on draft night and I was at a camp and I wanted to show off because I knew you and you answered the phone for a 16year old who was one of your biggest fans.. this is truly a sad day for me !! RIP Sual bop my oldhead!!

A post shared by Kyle Lowry (@kyle_lowry7) on Jan 31, 2018 at 11:01am PST

Come on man. Damn. The world just lost a great dude. RIP Rasual “Bop” Butler! https://t.co/tufRq2H3AI

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 31, 2018

So sad this morning to here about my friend and teammate 😢 RIP Rasual Butler appreciate the people around u because u never kno 😔😔😔

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 31, 2018

lost an OG today, a true pro, a teacher, and competitor. who was not only a great mentor but also a great father. @rasualbutler45 rest peacefully my brother. #gonetoosoon pic.twitter.com/md1mOTxifQ

— Solomon Hill (@solohill) January 31, 2018

Devastated to hear the news about the passing of my former teammate, Rasual, & his wife. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time. Rasual was an amazing teammate and an even better person. He will truly be missed!

— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) January 31, 2018

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Sad news…lost a good one!!!

A post shared by Michael Beasley (@michael8easley) on Jan 31, 2018 at 10:48am PST

Man I’m heartbroken over the news of a good friend passing last night. Rasual was a great help to me during my draft process. Gave me great advice and was just a all around good person. I’ll miss you bro. Prayers to you and your family. Can’t believe it. #RIP

— Terrence Ross (@TFlight31) January 31, 2018

Incredibly sad news to hear about Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. Prayers to both of their families through this tough time.

— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 31, 2018

Omg….. RIP Rasual Butler :(( terrible News 😢

— Marcin Gortat🇵🇱 (@MGortat) January 31, 2018