I wonder what were they looking at? Aren't coaches are suppose to see "untapped" potential in players. They couldn't see what Natalie could be/could do in another program a little less demanding? Natalie left the UConn program, but she took with her everything she learned there, and is putting it to good use.
She also brought with her something no one else in that program has, a national championship, along with the training and understanding of Geno's basketball principles it took to get it. She learned how to train and prepare to play UConn basketball. The coaches and players at George Mason all respect that. She's been to 2 final fours as a player. That (and the fact that she is probably the oldest player) is one of the reasons she is a team leader. She has UConn pedigree none of the other players/coaches have. That is a valuable and respected thing in the world of WCBB.
Butler's highlights at UConn
2016-17 Season
Saw time in all but one game for the Huskies, averaging 5.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per contest ... Shot a solid 50.0 percent (82-164) from the floor and 68.9 percent (31-45) from the free throw line ... Swatted 34 shots and dished-out 37 assists ... Scored in double-figures six times, including a season-high 13 points in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal win over Tulsa on March 4. Butler was 4-6 from the field and was a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe on that afternoon against the Golden Hurricane.
Hauled in a season-high 10 rebounds to go along with 10 points in the American Athletic Conference Tournament final victory over USF on March 6. Her 10 points came on 4-6 shooting and four of her rebounds came on the offensive glass ... Was one-point and one-rebound shy of another double-double in the win over Memphis on February 25 ... Scored 12 points in only 18-minutes of action during the win over East Carolina on January 4. Her 12 points came on 5-6 shooting and went along with six rebounds and a season-high tying three blocked shots.
2015-16 Season
Suffered a thumb injury in the preseason and was unable to play until her debut at Cincinnati on December 30 when she scored 11 points on 5-7 shooting and snared eight rebounds in 15-minutes of action. Saw action in 27 games, earning one start and averaging 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds on 55.9 percent shooting. Scored a career-high 20 points on 9-11 shooting against UCF on January 20 … Scored 14 points and posted her first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds against Cincinnati on February 17 … Saw action on all six of UConn’s NCAA Tournament games, highlighted by a six-point, eight-rebound performance during the regional semifinal win over Mississippi State, en route to UConn's 11th national championship.
2014-15 Season
Redshirt season in Storrs following her transfer from Georgetown.