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Branson teammates Jase Butler (32), Joaquin Aguillon (3) and Semetri Carr (2) celebrate their victory over the Pinole Valley Spartans in a North Coast Section Division III boysÕ high school basketball game, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in San Rafael, Calif. Branson defeated Pinole Valley 69-50. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)

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They grew up in Mill Valley together, bonded by the game of basketball. The sphere’s influence on their lives has connected them, even as their lives have headed in different directions.

Jase Butler is back home before starting his sophomore season at Colorado State University, after spending a year as a freshman reserve at the University of Washington. His former Branson School teammate Semteri “TT” Carr, who graduated from Redwood High in the spring, is heading across the bay to Cal as a highly touted freshman recruit.

They’re joining forces with longtime friend and former Tam High basketball star Logan Raven, who is launching a two-day basketball camp at his home court on Saturday and Sunday. The camp at Tam High is open to boys and girls ages 8-16 and will include hands-on training, leadership development and a “behind-the-scenes look at the work ethic required to play college basketball.”

“This is a way of giving back to the community, the same community that helped shaped us as athletes,” said Raven, who launched Branded NIL, a startup helping high school and NCAA athletes develop their personal brands, during his freshman year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “We want to show the younger athletes what is possible if they stay committed. To have Semetri and Jase come back and lead this in their hometown makes it really special.”

Butler played 18 games, averaging 10.6 minutes and 1.9 points per game for a Huskies team that went 13-18 in the 2024-25 season.

“It was a good experience,” Butler said. “I’m glad I made the decision to go there. I made a lot of valuable relationships there.”

But in the end, Butler decided to transfer to CSU, which had heavily recruited him while he was at Branson. The Rams went 16-10 in 2024-25, beating Boise State in the Mountain West Conference tournament, and stunning fifth-seeded Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling 72-71 to No. 4 Maryland.

“I was looking for something different, basketball-wise,” Butler said. “They’ve got a good culture at CSU and they’ve had success here. I’m glad about my decision. Everyone here has been super-welcoming. I’m looking to grow as a student athlete. I can’t wait to get back on the court. I’m looking forward to a successful year with a winning team.”

Carr is looking forward to “playing the top guys in the country” with the Cal Bears, he said. “I wanted to stay at that level. The best of the best play in the Power 5 conferences and it’s a bonus for Cal to be in the ACC. There are special opportunities.”

Carr joins sophomore BJ Fisher, a Redwood High grad, and Michigan transfer Justin Pippen, the son of Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, at Cal. The Bears host Dominican University on Dec. 9 in a non-conference matchup.

“It’s an adjustment, with the size, strength and physicality, just how everything moves at the college level,” Carr said. “Everyone’s big and strong at the college level. It’s all things you expect, but it’s different when you’re in it live.”

Butler and Carr, who won North Coast Section titles together at Branson in 2022 and 2023, hope to pass on their knowledge to the campers this week.

“We’ll go through drills and all the basics, but even more, we can answer questions about the recruiting process and the new landscape of college basketball, how to reach your goals,” Butler said. “Camps can be super impactful. Some of my fondest memories growing up were talking to older players about the game and about how they got to where they did. Those relationships stay with you.”

Carr and Raven played on the same CYO basketball team together growing up and both, along with Butler, were regulars at basketball camps.

“Growing up, we went to a lot of camps in the area,” Carr said. “I was competing against some of the best players and getting a lot of advice from mentors. … I want them to gain something from this camp. I want them to make connections, friendships, but also to compete, to learn, and to have a good time.”

They’ll be joined by trainer David Moore, the chairman of DMology, who has helped mentor some of the Bay Area’s top court talent, including Butler, Carr and Raven.

“Basketball and community have always been a passion of Logan’s,” Moore said. “I knew he could do this and more. This is his passion to help and serve athletes. He wants to help them become global leaders. Logan is one of those guys who is a leader in life and on the court. It’s inspiring to see how far he’s come in just a few years.”

Originally Published: August 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM PDT