Devin Butts’ parents, Derex and Latashia, are still grieving the loss of their 22-year-old son, a talented basketball player at North Carolina Central University.
Devin, a 6’5″ forward with an infectious smile and a heart full of kindness, collapsed during a late-night workout on May 1, 2023, suffering a cardiac arrest that would tragically end his life four days later.
Now, two years after their devastating loss, Devin Butts’ parents are seeking justice, filing a lawsuit against NCCU on May 2, 2025, alleging negligence and systemic failures that they believe contributed to their son’s untimely death.
Born in Macon, Georgia, Devin Butts was the pride of his parents, Derex and Latashia.
His father, Derex, a former basketball player at Texas Tech during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons, instilled in Devin a love for the game.
From his days at Stratford Academy in Macon to his college career, Devin’s journey was one of dedication and promise.
After transferring from Louisiana University to NCCU, he was set to complete his kinesiology degree in June 2023.
He was preparing for his final season of college basketball, with dreams of playing professionally in the U.S. or overseas.
“He never let a whole bunch of things worry him, He worked his tail off to be as good as he was in basketball. He treated people the way we should treat people and that was fair. He was not judgmental. He just gave everybody a fair shot.”
Via Charlotte Observer
Devin’s spreading positivity left a mark on everyone he met.
NCCU basketball coach LeVelle Moton described him as “an incredible teammate with an infectious smile at all times,” a sentiment echoed by teammates and the broader NCCU community.
But on May 5, 2023, that light was extinguished when doctors at Duke University Hospital declared Devin brain dead after days on life support.
The Tragic Night
On April 30, 2023, Devin began what would be his final workout at McDougald-McLendon Arena on NCCU’s campus.
The session, which included one-on-one games with teammates, extended past midnight.
Derex Butts highlighted the importance of his son’s dedication:
“Working on his craft, You know, he could have been out at a club somewhere or whatever, but he wasn’t. He was in the gym. That’s a safe spot.”
Via Charlotte Observer
But that safe spot turned deadly.
Around 12:30 a.m. on May 1, Devin developed a cardiac arrhythmia and suffered a sudden cardiac event.
According to the lawsuit filed by Devin Butts’ parents, the response was catastrophically inadequate.
Teammates called 911 at 12:35 a.m., but Durham County EMS didn’t arrive until 12:48 a.m., a critical 13-minute delay.
The lawsuit claims Devin suffered oxygen lack for approximately 18 minutes before first responders arrived, a delay that likely sealed his fate.
When Derex received the call about his son’s emergency, he was in Daytona, Florida.
He drove through the night to Macon, showered, repacked, and raced to Duke University Hospital to be by Devin’s side.
There, he stayed with his son, talking to him and even turning on a Los Angeles Lakers playoff game, hoping for a miracle.
But Devin never regained consciousness.
On May 5, after all efforts failed and tests showed no brain activity, Derex and Latashia made the agonizing decision to say goodbye to their son.
Devin Butts’ Parents Filed A Lawsuit On May 2, 2025, Citing Negligence At NCCU
It alleges that life-saving equipment, such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), was either unavailable or inaccessible during Devin’s emergency.
Furthermore, the suit claims that university staff, including Coach LeVelle Moton, Associate Head Coach Brian Perkins, and Athletic Director Louis “Skip” Perkins, routinely disregarded NCCU policies by allowing athletes to engage in unsupervised after-hours workouts.
The lawsuit alleges that the university violated its policies by allowing unsupervised athlete workouts outside regular hours, which is contrary to NCAA regulations.
NCCU police and campus security allegedly failed to enforce access controls, permitting unauthorized entry to the gym.
The suit also states that coaches and staff were not sufficiently trained on AED use, which could have saved Devin’s life.
An 18-minute delay in EMS arrival is noted as a critical factor in his death.
Devin’s death certificate listed a heart issue as the cause of death, but an autopsy, which Derex said in 2023 would take months to complete, has yet to provide definitive answers.
Derex said in the interview:
“According to the school and the doctors, everything was fine on all of his yearly checkups, all of that. He never had an issue while he was here at all, so we don’t know yet.
Via Charlotte Observer
Devin’s passing sent shockwaves through the NCCU community and beyond.
His funeral, held on May 13, 2023, at Stratford Academy in Macon, was evident in the love and respect he inspired.
Friends, family, teammates, and coaches gathered to honor a young man whose kindness and talent touched countless lives.
Derex and Latashia Butts feel deep pain from losing Devin. They believe his death could have been prevented.
Their lawsuit is not just a quest for justice but a plea to ensure no other family endures such a loss.
The NCCU community, too, suffered with the tragedy, as Devin’s absence leaves a void on the court and in the hearts of those who knew him.
Devin Butts was more than just a basketball player; he was a cherished son and a dear friend.
His parents, Derex and Latashia, are seeking justice for him, driven by their love and desire to honor his legacy.
They remember Devin for his kindness and strong work ethic.
Now, they are calling for a thorough investigation and accountability to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain.
