Butler nixes UNLV, opts to sign with Connecticut

Victoria Sun

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 10:56 a.m.

The Caron Butler mystery is over.

The epic drama Butler caused over the last few weeks via the Internet, television and newspapers is over.

Now UNLV men's basketball coach Bill Bayno can focus on making his team better.

On Wednesday, the final day of the early signing period, Butler reportedly faxed a signed copy of his letter of intent to attend Connecticut that reached the Huskies' basketball office.

"We're just worried about our own team," said Bayno, whose Rebels open the season Friday against Mississippi Valley State at the Thomas & Mack Center. "Our big need has been a point guard.

"You win some, you lose some."

The letter wasn't signed by his mother, who lives in Racine, Wisc., so it was faxed to her later Wednesday afternoon.

It is expected that she will sign the letter today and fax it back to UConn. If it never arrives, the process could begin all over again.

For weeks, the 6-foot-7 forward at Maine Central Institute had been wavering between attending UNLV and Connecticut.

Butler gave several oral commitments to UConn, including an affirmation to the defending national champions when he attended their Midnight Madness practice, before he declared a change of heart.

But then after Butler visited UNLV shortly thereafter, he orally committed to the Rebels.

Considered one of the top players in the country, Butler fueled a media and Internet frenzy by being so indecisive.

On Wednesday night at 6 p.m. (PST) he was scheduled to participate in an Internet chat involving basketball fans and media moderated by Matt Borrello of the Bob Gibbons All Star Report service.

Gibbons said Borrello and the fans waited 45 minutes, but Butler never showed.

Over the past few weeks, Butler repeatedly refused to take phone calls.

Bayno said he had no idea how to combat the rumors that are started on the so-called Information Superhighway.

"I think it's a problem in this country when people can put false information all over the world," he said. "It makes recruiting a lot tougher."

The early signing period was not a total loss for the Rebels.

Forward Omari Pearson of Crispus Attucks Charter School in York, Pa., and swing man Lou Kelly of San Bernardino Valley (Calif.) College signed with UNLV. The highly touted Kelly is expected to be eligible to play at the conclusion of the fall semester.