Jimmy Butler isn't your average superstar. You know that. He’s the guy who showed up to a Timberwolves practice and beat the starters with third-stringers just to prove a point. He's the guy who drinks $20 lattes and calls it "Big Face Coffee." So, when you see a jimmy butler usa jersey and realize he’s rocking the number 4, you might think it’s just another random choice.
It isn't.
In the NBA, we’ve seen him as #21 in Chicago, #23 in Minnesota and Philly, #22 in Miami, and now #10 with the Golden State Warriors. But that Olympic run in 2016? That was different. He was #4. And honestly, it remains one of the most underrated chapters of his career.
Why the Number 4?
Most people assume NBA stars get to keep their pro numbers when they suit up for Team USA. Not exactly. FIBA rules used to be pretty strict about numbering, usually sticking to the 4-15 range for international tournaments. While those rules have loosened up lately, back in 2016 for the Rio Olympics, the tradition was still very much alive.
Jimmy took #4. It’s a number usually reserved for the floor generals or the "first guy on the list," but for Butler, it symbolized a total shift in role. On those Bulls teams, he was becoming "the guy." On Team USA, he was the ultimate glue man.
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If you’re looking for a jimmy butler usa jersey today, you’re basically looking for a piece of 2016 history. He hasn’t played for the national team since. He skipped Tokyo in 2020 due to fatigue—which, after that brutal "Bubble" Finals run, was totally fair—and he didn't make the final cut for Paris 2024. That makes the Rio jersey a rare bird.
The Rio 2016 Grind
Let’s be real: that 2016 team was stacked. You had KD, Kyrie, and Melo. Jimmy wasn't there to take 20 shots a game. He was there to be a defensive menace.
He played in all eight games in Rio. He averaged 5.6 points. That doesn't sound like "Playoff Jimmy" numbers, does it? But look closer. He shot 94.4% from the free-throw line. He was the guy Coach K threw onto the court when the defense needed to tighten up or when the game got a little too physical.
The jimmy butler usa jersey represents that "work horse" mentality. It's the jersey of a guy who had already won Most Improved Player but was still willing to come off the bench and do the dirty work for a Gold Medal.
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- Total Games: 8
- Gold Medals: 1 (Rio 2016)
- Free Throw Accuracy: 17-of-18
- Key Stat: He tied for the team high in steals during the pre-Olympic tour.
Is the Jersey Still Available?
Finding an authentic jimmy butler usa jersey right now is... a challenge. Since he isn't on the current roster, Nike and Fanatics aren't exactly pumping them out of the factory.
If you want one, you're usually hitting the secondary markets like eBay or Grailed. You’ll see a lot of "Swingman" versions from the 2016 era. The authentic ones have the heat-applied graphics and that specific "Vapor" weave that Nike used back then.
Interestingly, since Jimmy moved to the Warriors in 2025, his old jerseys have actually seen a spike in interest. People are looking back at his whole career arc, and that 2016 Gold Medal is a huge part of his Hall of Fame resume.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jimmy and Team USA
There's this weird narrative that Jimmy doesn't care about the national team because he hasn't been back. That’s just wrong.
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Actually, Jimmy was on the 41-man shortlist for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He wanted to go. But the roster was so crowded with younger wings and the "Avengers" vibe of LeBron and Steph that there just wasn't a spot for a 34-year-old Jimmy who had been dealing with knee issues.
Wearing the jimmy butler usa jersey isn't just about being a fan of a specific team. It’s about respecting the fact that Jimmy is one of the few players who actually transitioned from a "bench specialist" to a "superstar" and then went back to being a "role player" for the sake of a Gold Medal.
Spotting a Fake
If you're hunting for this jersey online, watch out for the "cheap" versions.
- The Font: The "USA" on the front should have a very specific sharp-edged font. Fakes often get the kerning (the space between letters) wrong.
- The Tagging: 2016 jerseys used the "NikeConnect" tags near the hem, though the "Connect" feature is now defunct.
- The Color: The "Obsidian" blue is almost black. If it looks like a bright royal blue, it’s probably not an authentic 2016 Olympic replica.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're serious about grabbing a piece of Jimmy's international legacy, here is what you should actually do:
- Check Verified Resellers: Stick to sites with buyer protection. Search specifically for "Jimmy Butler 2016 Olympic Jersey."
- Look for the #4: If you see a USA jersey with #21 or #22, it’s a custom "fashion" jersey, not what he actually wore on the court.
- Verify the Patch: The 2016 jerseys didn't have the "Gold Medalist" patches on them during the games; those were added to "Commemorative" editions sold later.
- Check the Nameplate: In early 2025, Jimmy changed his nameplate to "Butler III" to honor his father. However, his 2016 USA jersey will only ever say "BUTLER." Anything else is a modern custom.
Jimmy’s time in the red, white, and blue might be over, but that gold medal around his neck is forever. Whether he’s "Jimmy Buckets" in Miami or helping Steph in San Francisco, that #4 jersey remains the ultimate proof that he can win at any level, in any role.