Lamont Butler, Kentucky’s starting point guard, was notably absent from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Defensive Team for the 2024-2025 season, despite his impressive defensive credentials. Prior to joining Kentucky, Butler was a two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year at San Diego State, underscoring his defensive prowess.
Throughout the season, Butler continued to showcase his defensive skills, averaging career highs in several categories:
- Points per game: 11.9
- Assists per game: 4.4
- Rebounds per game: 2.9
- Steals per game: 1.7
His contributions were pivotal in enhancing Kentucky’s defensive metrics. Notably, since Butler’s return from a shoulder injury on February 8, the Wildcats’ defense improved significantly, climbing to 56th nationally in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.
Despite these achievements, Butler was not selected for the SEC All-Defensive Team. The players who received this honor were:
- Denver Jones, Auburn
- Jahmai Mashack, Tennessee
- Cameron Matthews, Mississippi State
- Anthony Robinson II, Missouri
- Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
The omission of Butler from this list has raised questions among analysts and fans alike, especially considering his defensive track record and the measurable impact he had on Kentucky’s performance this season.