CEDAR CITY, Utah - Each week through the offseason the Leavitt Group will highlight a student-athlete from Southern Utah University that has made a positive impact on their program and the institution. This week's Student-Athlete Spotlight is focused on men's basketball player Harrison Butler. 

Joining the Thunderbirds ahead of the 2018-19 season out of Mater Dei High School, Harrison Butler had an immediate impact on the team in his freshman season. He made 15 starts in 33 appearances, and averaged 10.3 points per game as a true freshman. He also tied for the team lead in rebounding with 215 (6.5 rebounds per game), and led the team with 55 offensive rebounds. 

He finished first year ranked eighth in the Big Sky in rebounding, and 27th in scoring. He scored a career-high 21 points against Drake in the First Round of the CIT, leading the Thunderbirds to their first-ever postseason victory. 

As Butler moved into his sophomore season, he remained a critical part of the rotation for the T-Birds. 

He played in all 32 games for SUU, playing 753 total minutes. He averaged 7.4 ppg and finished second on the team in rebounding with an average of 5.6 per game. At the end of the season, he ranked 17th in the Big Sky in rebounding and 12th in offensive rebounding. 

Butler scored a season-high of 17 points against Montana on the road, helping secure SUU's first victory over the Grizzlies since 2000. 

As Butler moves into his junior campaign, it is safe to assume that he will continue to play a critical role for the Thunderbirds. 

Track Southern Utah Athletics 24/7 by following @SUUThunderbirds on Twitter and Instagram, and by liking the Southern Utah Athletics page on Facebook.