Butler, Rose share common teammate

Bulls draft pick Jimmy Butler grew up in suburban Houston, but he already has a connection with new teammate Derrick Rose.

During the one season Butler played at Tyler (Tex.) Junior College, the point guard was Randall Hampton, who grew up as one of Rose’s best friends in Chicago. After that season, Hampton ended his playing career to become Rose’s personal manager.

“He is first class all the way,” Tyler coach Mike Marquis said of Hampton. “He has allowed us to kind of get a tiny relationship with Derrick. Derrick’s been nothing but great to us. It’s really a great situation how this worked out.”

After the pick was made Thursday, Bulls general manager Gar Forman said he has known Marquis for 20 years and because of that heard about Butler long before he joined the 2011 draft. Before moving to Tyler, Marquis coached in Iowa when Forman worked with Tim Floyd at Iowa State.

Forman said when the Bulls’ turn came up at No. 30 on Thursday, it took them three seconds to call in the pick, they were so certain of the choice.

Marquis also sent a player to Drake when Bulls assistant Ron Adams was on the coaching staff.

“It’s kind of ironic that all this stuck together,” Marquis said. “I’ve had a longtime relationship with Gar, I’ve know Ron Adams for years and years, then to have the relationship with Randall and Derrick, it’s a great, great Hollywood story.”