Orlando, Fla. — Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler of UConn fame is watching the organization’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a little closer these days.

That’s because the Heat’s developmental affiliate acquired Butler’s son, JC Butler, from the available pool via roster hardship last week. JC, a 6-foot-5 guard, went undrafted this past summer out of UC Irvine before arriving to the Skyforce.

“It’s amazing,” Butler said ahead of the Heat’s matchup against the Magic in Orlando on Wednesday night. “I’m forever grateful to the Arison family and coach (Pat) Riley, Andy Elisburg, coach Spo (Erik Spoelstra) to just give him the opportunity. He’s really been traveling around pretty much everywhere during this process, getting into the portal and obviously getting picked up. It was a tremendous relief and I’m just happy for him.”

Before being acquired by the Skyforce, JC was considering basketball opportunities overseas and had already begun playing with the Skyforce as a practice player. He took part in training camp with the Skyforce ahead of the season opener before missing the final cut and then eventually making his way onto the roster.

JC, 23, averaged 3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game while shooting 47.8% from the field and 20 of 45 (44.4%) from 3-point range as a redshirt senior at UC Irvine last season before going undrafted this past June.

“I think what he’s solely known for is his athleticism, obviously,” Butler said when asked for the scouting report on his son. “But defensively, he’s a grit-and-grind type of dude that can get after it. He’s very efficient from the 3-point line. He’s a catch-and-shoot guy and a catch-and-go guy off the dribble. But he has so many tools and so many things that got to get sharpened just like all young players. I’m just happy that he got up under our umbrella, where he’s able to develop.”

This isn’t the first time the Heat has added a familiar face to its developmental program. Tre Mourning, the son of former Heat center and current Heat executive Alonzo Mourning, played for the Heat’s summer league team in 2019 and later was selected by the Skyforce in the G League draft.

“We always talk about culture and we always talk about the grit and grind and the connection that we have and the sweat equity that we have on the court and the work ethic that it takes to get on that court under this umbrella,” said Butler, whose history with the Heat goes back to 2002 when he was drafted by Miami with the 10th overall pick. “He earned his opportunity but definitely got a huge push just because he’s part of the fabric of this organization already because he is a legacy.”

Butler spent the first two seasons of his NBA career with the Heat before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 as part of a package to acquire Shaquille O’Neal. Butler then returned to join Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff and he’s now in his fourth season as a Heat assistant coach.

“This shows that it’s all about family around here,” Butler continued.

With the Heat’s schedule and the Skyforce’s schedule aligning in Orlando this week, Butler was able to attend the Skyforce’s game on Tuesday night in the G League Winter Showcase at the Orange County Convention Center. JC didn’t play in the Skyforce’s 129-110 loss to the Raptors 905, but it was still a special moment for the Butler family.

“It’s goosebumps, man,” Butler said.