MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The head coach of Georgetown’s women’s basketball team, Tasha Butts, died after a two-year battle with breast cancer on Monday. But her ties to Central Georgia have made the news hit harder here in the heart of Georgia.
Prior to coaching for Georgia Tech and Georgetown, Tasha Butts was a stand-out Central Georgia women’s basketball player.
Originally from Milledgeville, the Baldwin High School alumnus and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year was diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer in 2021 and she only stepped away from coaching last month.
Now, those who knew Butts and her stellar career here in Central Georgia sent out their condolences and remembered her involvement in Georgia and Central Georgia sports.
Kowacie Reeves Sr, the owner of Hypesouth Media, called Butts a "Middle Georgia legend." She said that she was a hero in the Central Georgia sports scene, especially in Milledgeville and Baldwin County.
Nichole Bolston-Williams, a coach with the Central Chargers, posted a team photo including Butts. She called Butts a "Hometown Hero."
On our 13WMAZ Facebook page, many Central Georgians shared their reactions to the news of Butts' passing.
Lauren Hollman Fried posted: "Oh my gosh. I am so sad to read this. Tasha was such a fun player to watch at Baldwin high school. My father would drive me up from Macon to watch her play. Then, we followed her through her college and coaching career. She was so kind to a young girl aspiring to be like her. Sending love to all who loved her."
One commenter, Meredith Cook Stokes, said that the news hits harder due to Butts age. She was only 41 years old when she died.
"I'm so sad to hear this! I remember her during our AAU days," Meredith Cook Stokes said. "Watched her play during her TN days too. So young! Prayers for her family and friends!"
Tomeka Owens said: "My condolences to the family."
Kathy Branch said: "Deepest condolences to family and friends. I watched her play and coach."
Other programs that Butts had ties to, like LSU and Tennessee, remembered her and sent their condolences to Butts' family.
"We'll carry her toughness and fight throughout this season and beyond," the Tennessee Lady Vols said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones."
Georgia Tech, where Butts had been a coach for 4 years, sent out a post remembering Butts as the news broke.
"You are a Legend," the Yellow Jackets said on X. "Rest in Peace."
Butts was a certified local legend in Central Georgia, winning numerous accolades during her time as a player and making her mark on the court.
Even all these years later, Butts is still the all-time lead scorer for Baldwin County High School and, in December 2000, the school retired her jersey: No. 23.
Additionally, back in August 2004, Butts was given the key to the city of Milledgeville and proclaimed the day as "Tasha Butts Day."
And in College for the Tennessee Vols, she was a 4-year letter winner and helped lead Pat Summit's Lady Volunteers to an astonishing 124-17 record from 2000-2004.
After college, she was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2004 WNBA draft. She was the 20th selection that year.
Then, during her coaching career, she coached at Tennessee, Duquesne, UCLA, LSU, Georgia Tech and, in 2023, she was hired as head women's basketball coach for Georgetown.