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Jimmy Butler's road to the Timberwolves began in obscurity in small-town Texas

Mike Marquis had never seen Jimmy Butler play basketball — not even on video — when he strolled into a Texas high school gym in the summer of 2007.

Marquis, the longtime head coach at Tyler Junior College, really knew nothing about the youngster. He was there at the request of a local recruiting analyst who suggested Marquis take a look at Butler, who had no Division I offers.

Marquis watched Butler run down the court twice and offered him a scholarship on the spot.

“He said, ‘Coach, I haven’t even shot the ball yet,’ ” Marquis recalled.