Former Heat player Rasual Butler, wife killed in car crash

Butler drafted by Heat in 2002, played for eight other NBA teams

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.