SAN ANTONIO â Spurs point guard Patty Mills paid tribute in a video to Rasual Butler after learning his former teammate and wife, Leah LaBelle, were both killed in a car crash Wednesday morning in a Los Angeles suburb.Â
The heartfelt video was shared on Millsâ Twitter page with the caption âMy brother Sual,â showing the pair dressed as Santa for local kids as part of the Spurs holidays segments.Â
My brother Sual pic.twitter.com/4XYluZ0KtS
— Patrick Mills (@Patty_Mills) February 1, 2018
In the video, Butler and Mills are seen playing basketball with children, and Rasual shows the kids that Santa can dunk.Â
When asked if Mills has ever seen Santa dunk, he responds: âI have, actually, about 20Â minutes ago. That was the best thing ever. The looks on the kids' faces when Santa (Butler) dunked was pretty amazing.â
RELATED:Â Former Spurs player, wife killed in car crash; Current players share condolencesÂ
The video ends with Butler and Mills gifting presents to the kids and chanting to the cameras âGo Spurs Go, ho ho ho, Merry Christmasâ for the 2015 holidays.
Follow Adrian on Twitter | Like Adrian on Facebook
Other current Spurs players took to social media to offer their condolences to Butlerâs family. Â
Devastated to hear the news about the passing of my former teammate, Rasual, & his wife. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time. Rasual was an amazing teammate and an even better person. He will truly be missed!
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) January 31, 2018
Still in shock about my brother Rasual. Great positive person. We lost a good one
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) January 31, 2018
Very sad day for the #NBAFamily. My deepest condolences to Rasual and his wifeâs families in such a painful moment. #RIPRasualButler pic.twitter.com/PUmTQUFwbF
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) January 31, 2018
Smh Rip Bop man learned a lot from you! Leah was such a nice person. Devastated by the news!! đȘđȘđȘ https://t.co/jMyRGEgRtV
— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) January 31, 2018
Iâm hurt man, still in shock, I donât believe it...not you, you were too good man...feels like I⊠https://t.co/IcqhLAjYiI
— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) January 31, 2018
On Wednesday, the Spurs released a statement following the passing of Butler.
âWeâve lost two special people in Leah LaBelle and Rasual Butler. Our hearts, prayers and condolences are with their families and friends. Rasual was a wonderful man, friend and teammate. His positive attitude, his professionalism and his warm smile made Rasual a joy to be around. All of us will miss Rasual and Leah a great deal,â the Spurs said in the statement.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 31, 2018
Butler signed with the silver and black before the start of the 2015-16 season and played 46 games for San Antonio before he was waived on March 9, 2016.Â
It was his final season after playing 14 years in the NBA.
"He was always a guy smiling with a hand out to say hello. Hearing the news was staggering."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 1, 2018
The #GameTime crew remembers Rasual Butler. pic.twitter.com/Earl5fVVCk