Butler Basketball: Top-10 Bulldogs of the century (2000-2018)

SALT LAKE CITY - MARCH 27: Matt Howard #54 and Gordon Hayward #20 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrate in the final moments before defeating the Kansas State Wildcats in the west regional final of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Energy Solutions Arena on March 27, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 63.56. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 12: Jones #21 of the Butler Bulldogs reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

10. Roosevelt Jones (2011 – 2016)

Career Stats (4 seasons): 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game

Figuring out who would hold down the No. 10 spot in this list was nearly impossible. There have just been too many excellent players to don the Bulldogs’ jersey to make it a clear-cut top-10. Yet, for this exercise, I chose to take the man with no true position. In his five seasons with Butler (redshirted in 2013-14 due to injury), Roosevelt Jones was not a point guard, or a small forward, or whatever other position you might try to label him with. To put simply, Rozey was a baller.

Night in and night out, Jones could always be counted on for his excellent all-around play. Despite the fact that he attempted only four 3-pointers in his 4422 total minutes with the Dawgs, he averaged in double-figures for scoring in three of his four playing seasons. No matter what situation he was put in, the 6’4″ Jones just always found a way to put the ball on the rim and it more than often dropped through the hoop as well.

With 134 career starts, Jones holds the program record in that statistic. He was also a second-team All-Big East selection in both of his last two seasons with the Dawgs. In terms of overall stats within the program, Rozey ranks highly in assists (464 – 4th), rebounds (814 – 5th), steals (147 – 8th), and points (1533 – 11th). He also compiled a 94-46 record in games played and reached the NCAA Tournament in three of his four healthy seasons. He ranks 12sth on Butler’s all-time scoring list.

In addition to his statistical achievements, Roosevelt Jones was an instrumental part of Butler’s transitions into new conferences. In fact, he is one of only a few Bulldogs who played in each of the Horizon League, the Atlantic 10, and the Big East. Jones was a special talent who just always seemed to get things done for Butler. He had many great moments in a Bulldogs’ uniform but none as memorable as his steal and buzzer-beater to beat Gonzaga in front of the Hinkle faithful.