Heat sign former WVU star Butler, roster hits 18

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Former West Virginia star Da'Sean Butler has signed with the Miami Heat, becoming the team's 18th player under contract going into training camp.

Butler was the 42nd pick in this year's draft. He was projected as a potential lottery choice before he tore a ligament in his left knee during the Mountaineers' Final Four loss to eventual NCAA champion Duke.

The Heat ranked Butler as the 21st-best player in the draft, after he averaged 17.2 points for West Virginia as a senior.

Doctors believe the torn ACL in Butler's left knee should be fully healed in time for the NBA season, and the team expects him to be ready to participate in at least some aspects of camp when formal workouts begin in late September.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press