Scoring milestone just the baseline for Kutztown’s ambitious Wesley Butler

Wesley Butler has always appeared as a sea of tranquility on the basketball court.

He stepped in at starting point guard as a sophomore at Reading High and never blinked, not during that wild ride to a PIAA championship, not once.

Whether he’s at the foul line during a tight game or out on the perimeter guarding a ballhandler his countenance rarely changes: He’s focused, serious, business-like. A rock.

It’s a sham, he admits.

“I put on a great face,” said the Kutztown University junior. “On the outside I seem calm, but on the inside I’m raging. It’s been like that since high school.

“When I get into the game I do a great job of being calm and trying to keep a calm demeanor. You have to. I just remind myself I have to be calm and put out that face.”

He reminded himself about that a lot lately as he approached 1,000 career points with the Golden Bears. With more than half a season left, and another full season ahead of him at KU, there was little doubt he would pass the milestone.

He needed two points entering Monday’s game at Seton Hill. That’s a layup, and he’s made thousands of those. Yet deep inside he was a basket case.

“I’ve been nervous since they told me: ‘You need this many points,’ ” Butler said, looking back about a month. “My mother kept reminding me how much I needed. I only needed two coming into the game, but I was still nervous; it’s a big deal.”

Butler got it over with quickly. He missed his first shot but knocked down a 3-pointer less than four minutes into the game.

“As soon as it went in, I was like, ‘I finally did it,’ ” Butler said. ” ‘I passed it.’ Definitely a relief, because you’re just thinking about it till it goes in: ‘Can this be the one?’ As soon as it went through, definitely some relief.”

For Butler it meant more than three points.

“It’s just a reward for the hard work I put in,” he said, “getting up shots after practices, watching film with coaches to see how I can be a better scorer. When you accomplish a milestone such as that it lets you know you’re working hard for a reason.”

After an outstanding career at Reading High, where he was a two-time Berks Player of the Year and scored over 1,300 points, it’s not a surprise to see Butler succeed at the next level. He’s always been confident in his game but admits to being a little surprised it all came so quickly for him at the next level.

“Coming in, I thought I’d take it one step at a time,” Butler said. “Freshman year, you have to prove yourself. My mindset (when I came in was): Work your way as a great bench player, then when I became a starter show why you should be a starter.”

Butler skipped right past that first step. He started his first game as a freshman. He went on to lead the team in scoring at 18.2 per game, earned PSAC East Division second-team all-league honors and was named Kutztown’s male freshman Athlete of the Year (for all sports).

His second season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but he came back last season and again led the team in scoring at 14.9 per game. He’s leading the way for the third straight season, averaging 17.2 points; he’s second on the team in assists and third in rebounds and steals.

He understands that part of the reason he was on the floor so quickly, and so much, as a freshman is because he wasn’t part of a strong roster. The Golden Bears won 11 times his first season, went 9-19 last season and are 3-6 as they head into holiday break.

That’s been an adjustment for Butler. The Red Knights went 75-16 during his three seasons as a starter, with a pair of Berks Conference championships, a District 3 Class 6A title — the year after Lonnie Walker IV graduated — and of course that state title in 2017.

“It’s definitely been a challenge,” Butler said of not winning consistently. “It’s just another obstacle to get over. You’re not always going to be on a winning team. Im grateful that I chose KU; I’m glad that it’s been working out.

“When I got here I said I was going to make the most of it, whether it’s winning or losing. That’s the mindset. Even after losses, you try to learn from them.”

In his mind Butler is only getting started. There’s much more to do, in basketball and life. He’s on schedule to graduate in May with a degree in Communications. Then it’s on to grad school at KU. He may go for an advanced degree in Public Administration, which could aid his burgeoning political career.

Earlier this year, at age 20, he was sworn in as the youngest ever to take a seat on the Reading City Council. Law school remains an option; that too could aid his political ambitions.

At this point in life he’s leading a four-on-one break with plenty of alluring options. He’ll approach each with the same measured, steady approach and full commitment he always has.

One-thousand points? That’s just a baseline.

“Every time I advanced (in basketball), (it was) what’s the next place to get into?” he said. “That’s how my mind works. When you get the first goal, then what’s the second one? It’s always what’s next. There’s more to attain.”