STUDIO CITY, Calif. – Former Miami Heat player Rasual Butler and his wife were killed in an early morning car accident on Wednesday.
TMZ reports the 38-year-old Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle, were killed in the single car crash in Studio City, Calif. around 2 a.m. Butler's Range Rover slammed into a wall and flipped after striking a parking meter.
Butler was the Heat's second round draft pick out of La Salle back in 2002. He played three seasons in Miami before being involved in the trade that led to the Heat acquiring Eddie Jones, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey.
Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters Wednesday that he will always remember Bulter's "million-dollar smile."
"I was shocked. It's horrible, horrible news for all of us," Spoelstra said. "His attitude was always infectious. He was always the brightest light coming through the gym every single day, regardless of what was going on during the season."
Former teammate Dwyane Wade expressed his grief over Butler's passing through Twitter, saying "Come on man. Damn. The world just lost a great dude."
Heat owner Micky Arison also tweeted out his condolences.
After Miami, Butler played for eight other NBA teams before last playing with San Antonio in 2016.
The report says LaBelle was a singer who placed 12th on American Idol in 2004.
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
Come on man. Damn. The world just lost a great dude. RIP Rasual “Bop” Butler! https://t.co/tufRq2H3AI
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 31, 2018
Sad sad news R.I.P. Rasual.
— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) 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
Rip to the homie Rasual Butler & his wife!! Condolences to the butler family & friends. Damn Bro 🙏🏽😪
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) January 31, 2018
Omg..... RIP Rasual Butler :(( terrible News 😢
— Marcin Gortat🇵🇱 (@MGortat) January 31, 2018
R.I.P to Rasual Butler man, he was good to me and kept it G with me during our time in Minnesota! We lost a good one!!
— Kris Dunn (@KrisDunn3) January 31, 2018
Our entire organization is deeply saddened after learning of the death of former Pacers player Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. pic.twitter.com/ezdVkM12PG
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) 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