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    • Player-by-player breakdown of the Butler basketball roster for the 2024-25 season
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    Player-by-player breakdown of the Butler basketball roster for the 2024-25 season

    Online Niel Posted on

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    The 2024-25 college basketball season is right around the corner. In the ever-changing world of the transfer portal and the ready, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of exactly who makes your favorite team’s roster.

    After seeing a significant roster turnover last season, The Butler Bulldogs added five new players (three transfers, two freshmen) to round out the seven returning players. With 10 veterans, these Bulldogs should be well equipped to compete in the Big East.

    More: Butler predicted No. 8 in Big East; Two Bulldogs receive all-conference honors

    Here’s your 2024-25 Butler Bulldogs.

    Bizjack earned Big-East All-Freshman team honors after a strong debut season with the Bulldogs. The 6-4 guard out of Texas is a true combo guard, capable of scoring at all three levels while being particularly effective from behind the arc despite shooting just 27 percent from deep last season. The sophomore will be in the mix for the starting shooting guard position and is comfortable with the ball in his hands, showing a knack for creating off the dribble and in pick-and-roll situations, making him an option and to the guard.

    Bizjack is a stealth candidate who could make the jump from Year 1 to Year 2 in coach Thad Matta’s system.

    Pierre Brooks came to Butler by way of Michigan State as a former top recruit and Michigan Mr. Basketball winner. After two nondescript seasons with the Spartans, Brooks showed why he was so highly regarded as a prep during his first season with the Bulldogs.

    Brooks led Butler with an average of 14.8 points per game. He scored in double figures in all but four games and showed true three-level scoring ability. His 6-6, 240-pound frame is tough to stop when he comes down and is nimble enough to score in a variety of ways on the board. He’s a deadly spot-up shooter, especially from the wings, and can catch fire from deep when he gets into a rhythm.

    Brooks II looks a trimmer heading into his second season at Butler. He has the makings of an All-Big East performer with a frame and skill set that could put him on the radar of NBA scouts if he hits his ceiling.

    Cassia played sparingly in his first year with the Bulldogs (3.4 minutes per game), but showed the ability to develop into his role as an energy defensive stopper, setting the stage for improvement in Year 2. Cassia dealt with injuries over time. his freshman season, missing the team’s first 10 games. He never played more than 14 minutes in a game and often came in for one or two possessions late in a half. He played one possession against Providence and came up with a game-sealing block.

    His 6-8 frame and long limbs allow him to guard the 3 to 5 positions. He may be tasked with playing more center this season, which suits his skill set more than a perimeter role. Offensively, Cassia isn’t someone you make a ton of plays for, but his ability to drive hard to the rim and finish lobs creates a threat that other teams have to honor.

    With increased minutes at 4/5, Cassia could want a valuable bench role for the Bulldogs.

    Haywood is a three-star guard from Brebeuf Jesuit. He averaged 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 37.7 percent (78-for-207) from 3-point range as a senior . Physically, the Carmel native doesn’t look out of place among his older teammates. He is a strong shooter from deep and has the speed to get to the rim. Haywood has a mature mindset and should be able to handle the breadth of Big East basketball from Day 1. He’ll be part of a crowded two-guard rotation and could earn situational minutes in his first year.

    Jamie Kaiser Jr. is a former four-star recruit out of Maryland by way of IMG Academy. Kaiser came to Maryland with a reputation as a lethal shooter, but struggled with the Terrapins shooting just 26.5 percent from 3. A reset with the Bulldogs may be the best thing for the 6-6 sophomore. He has length and strength that the Dawgs didn’t have in the backfield last season. He should help elevate Butler’s defense, but he needs to shoot better from deep, especially with sharpshooter DJ Davis transferring to Washington.

    I expect Kaiser to get the first shot at the starting two-guard position. If he comes off the bench, Kaiser could be instant offense on the second unit.

    More: Maryland transfer, potential starter Jamie Kaiser Jr. gone indefinitely

    Kapke played sparingly in his first season at Butler, but showed flashes of potential, hinting at the possibility of a bigger role as his career progresses. Kapke is one of two true centers on Butler’s roster. At 6-11, Kapke returns as a sophomore with a more defined frame that should help him hold his own against other Big East bigs. He averaged just seven minutes per game, but shot 48.4 percent from the field, 72.7 percent from the free throw line and 41.2 percent from 3. Kapke is a modern big, as comfortable with spotting from 3 as with his post.

    Kapke should be Butler’s center of the future. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made his way into the starting line-up this season. At the very least, he’ll be a solid backup who can take on a bigger role if needed.

    King began his career at St. John’s before transferring to Tulane. Last season with the Green Wave, King averaged 10.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 37.9 percent from 3. King is a confident shooter from deep, eager to take and step back and contested jumpers. He’s at his best in transition, able to score at the rim better than his 6-2 frame would suggest.

    At Tulane, King played more of a point guard role. With former starting point guard Posh Alexander (Dayton) gone, King will be tasked with playing more of a point guard and leading the offense. King said he is capable of playing the point, and the Dawgs would benefit greatly from excelling in that role early. I expect King to get his first shot at the starting role for Butler.

    Langdon is a 6-7, three-star forward from Raleigh, N.C. Originally scheduled to graduate in 2025, Langdon reclassified and committed to Butler as a member of his 2024 recruiting class. Langdon chose Butler over LSU and Notre ladies The lefty averaged 26.4 points and 10 rebounds as a junior. He is Millbrook’s leading scorer with 1,758 career points. With several veteran forwards ahead of him, the plan is for Langdon to redshirt this season.

    McCaffery is heading into his sixth season of college basketball after spending the past five playing for his father, Fran, at Iowa. At 6-9, McCaffery is a versatile forward capable of playing inside, outside and creating for his teammates. He is a veteran presence on the team and should excel in whatever role he is assigned. He’s a career 32.3% 3-point shooter, providing yet another big body defense needs to respect on the perimeter.

    I think he will start in a three forward formation with Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks. If Butler needs more volume inside, Andre Screen could step into the starting lineup for McCaffery, or McCaffery could move into a more traditional forward role alongside Telfort and Brooks.

    Moore transferred to Butler last season from St. Francis (Pa.), playing in every game and starting at point guard for an injured Posh Alexander. Moore came to Butler after bursting onto the scene as a talented mid-major scorer. Matta and company were grooming Moore to be the point guard of his future, now he figures to be in a rotation with Bizjack and King as they rotate on and off the ball.

    The strength added in the offseason should help Moore better handle contact and finish at the rim. The junior as a fully capable player and to be a goalscorer if necessary. I think Moore should spell King at the point while also playing the rotation at off-ball minutes.

    At 7-1, Screen is the team’s tallest player, but he’s more than just a big body. The screen has nimble footwork in the pillar and a soft touch to the edge. He is strong enough to score against any Big East big, can pass well for his size and is agile enough to put the ball on the floor.

    Screen played just 12.9 minutes per game last season, but was super effective in his limited role. Improved conditioning should help him play more minutes, and he has the potential to be a regular double-digit scorer. His biggest area of ​​improvement has to come defensively. The screen should protect the rim without dirt and avoid getting into trouble.

    I think Screen could work his way into the starting center role or be one of the first players off the bench, providing much-needed rim protection and low-post scoring.

    Telfort is the best guy who does everything for Butler. He finished second on the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and free throws. He finished third in steals and blocks. He’s a step ahead with the way he creates for his teammates. And he’s strong enough to drive his way into the paint and score with his back to the basket.

    Telfort is a strong on-ball defender and a veteran leader for the Bulldogs. He’s not afraid to have the ball in his hands during crucial moves of the game, and his ability to always make the right basketball play allows him to thrive in the clutch.

    Telfort will be a fixture in Butler’s starting line-up. He should contend for All-Big East honors and will be a pro in some capacity once his college career is over.

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