At Greater Latrobe Senior High School the last name “Butler” is synonymous with basketball success –this legacy spans many years forged with hard work, family bonds, and shared passion for the game of basketball. From coaching to playing professionally overseas, the Butler’s have left their footprint on the Latrobe community.
The Butler family’s legacy began long before any of the four brothers–Austin, Bryce, Landon, and Max–ever picked up a basketball. It was shaped by their father, Eric Butler, the assistant coach for the Wildcat basketball team. The high school coach played collegiately at Division I schools, Robert Morris University and Eastern Kentucky. He later finished his career at Slippery Rock.
For Austin, the eldest of four, having grown up around practices, games, and the high intensity of the sport was the only life he knew. From dribbling around during his dad’s practices to envisioning himself on the college court, he carried the torch of his father’s legacy. That legacy later became his to share in January 2017 when he became Greater Latrobe’s all-time leading scorer with 1,905 points. His success did not stop there. After four years spent at Holy Cross, Austin completed a graduate year at UNC Charlotte.
“[My dad] gave me a dream and hopes that I could play college basketball and eventually go on to play professionally,” Austin said. “Being thrown into it young and having him guide me made all the difference.”
The younger brothers followed in Austin’s footsteps, each bringing their own unique skills to the court. “Max and I have the shooting range and the mindset that we can score anywhere on the court at any time,” Austin explained. Bryce, the second eldest, and Max are similar in their footwork and ability to use their basketball IQ to get to the hoop.
Bryce also had a successful career on the court. He reached his 1,000-point milestone during his time at Greater Latrobe before playing collegiately at a Division II school, West Liberty. He was also named the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year. After leading West Liberty to a national championship game where they finished second, Bryce transferred to the College of Charleston to play his final season. There, he was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year award for his conference and helped his team win their conference as well as play in the NCAA tourney. Another accomplishment was becoming the MVP of the MEC and Atlantic Region tournaments.
In high school, Austin and Bryce only played together for a short year, but they had the chance to share the national stage. In 2022, they were named to the USA Basketball Men’s 3×3 U23 National League team. The team traveled to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where they played in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League. “The tournament flew by,” Austin said of the six days spent playing abroad. “Wearing the USA across your chest is pretty cool. Not a lot of people get to experience that and we are always going to look back on the memories,” he said.
Following behind two older brothers with accomplished careers, Landon found his own success. After finishing his senior basketball season with 1,185 points, he committed to the University of Montevallo before transferring to Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina where he is currently playing.
“It’s super rare that you have four people who go on to have successful careers in the same exact sport,” Austin said of his family.
For senior Max Butler, his earliest memories are on the court. From five years old, he looked up to the “older guys.” Now, he is a role model for the future generation of Latrobe Basketball players. On January 15, 2025, the youngest Butler joined his brothers as he reached his 1,000-point milestone.
“It was hard work, every night and every day, we just kept working,” Max said.
The four brothers cannot take all the credit for themselves, they say they owe it all to their parents. “They’re our biggest role models,” Max explained. “They paved the way for us and held us to a high standard.”
Michele Butler, a beloved teacher at the senior high school and mom of four said, “It was the greatest joy watching them excel.” She finds her family’s legacy astounding. “Watching the four of them score 1,000 points and knowing their names will be together on the banner is a great accomplishment,” Butler said.
A former volleyball player, track runner, and swimmer, she never envisioned basketball as part of her life until she met her husband. Despite not having a knowledge and love for basketball, she was always in the boys’ corner. From quick meals in between practices to sitting in the stands as a support for her children for 20 years, she was always there.
After the long hours surrounded by basketball, Mrs. Butler has too many memories to pinpoint a favorite. She said, “Every time I get to watch them play it’s a joy. It’s more sad to think about what it’s going to look like when it’s all over.”
However, many hardships came along with her family being successful in the sport. “Sometimes they had targets on their backs which was hard to teach them how to navigate,” Mrs. Butler said. Despite the fact she is an emotional person she acknowledges the life lessons that are the result of hardships. During this time, she wanted to focus on teaching her kids to be grateful and humble. “Win with dignity, lose with dignity,” she said.
The Butler’s story isn’t just about basketball– it’s about family, perseverance, and the lessons the game teaches. “Figure out what you want to do and go at it 100%,” Austin advised. “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. Work hard, put your mind to something, and it will happen.”
From their father’s coaching to their own achievements on the court and beyond. The Butlers embody a legacy of hard work, talent, and unity. As they continue to forge their paths, one thing is certain–the Butler family’s impact on basketball, and on each other, will endure for generations to come.
