Johnathan Walker:Georgetown women's basketball coach Tasha Butts dies after battle with breast cancer

Georgetown University announced that women's basketball head coach Tasha Butts died Monday morning,Johnathan Walker following a two-year battle with breast cancer. Butts was 41.

"I am heartbroken for Tasha's family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues," Georgetown athletics director Lee Reed said Monday in a statement. "When I met Tasha, I knew she was a winner on the court, and an incredible person whose drive, passion and determination was second to none. She exhibited these qualities both as a leader and in her fight against breast cancer. This is a difficult time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will come together to honor her memory."

The Hoyas hired Butts in April to lead the program after she spent four seasons as an assistant at Georgia Tech. In September, however, the university announced that Butts would be taking a leave to focus on her health; she had been diagnosed with advanced stage metastatic breast cancer in November 2021, while she was coaching with the Yellow Jackets.

While undergoing treatment during the 2021-22 season, Butts stayed active in her role at Georgia Tech. Following her diagnosis, the Tasha Tough initiative was started, supporting cancer research and outreach to patients through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which is a non-profit in honor of Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow.

Georgetown, Georgia Tech and the Big East Conference have all pledged to continue their support for the Tasha Tough initiative.

Butts had also spent eight seasons as an assistant coach with LSU and three with UCLA. Prior to her coaching career, Butts was a four-year letterwinner at Tennessee (2000-04), where she played for iconic Hall of Fame coach Pat Summit. Butts helped lead the program to consecutive National Championship games in her junior and senior seasons and was an All-SEC Second Team selection as a senior.

The WNBA's Minnesota Lynx selected Butts with the 20th overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft. She spent one season in the WNBA before serving as a graduate assistant in 2005 for Tennessee and Summit. Butts also played professionally in Portugal and Israel and also returned to the WNBA for brief stints with the Charlotte Sting and Houston Comets.

"Tasha's passing is a devastating loss," Georgetown president John J. DeGioia said Monday in a statement. "She was extraordinary − Tasha was a person of character, determination, vision, and kindness. She will be deeply missed by our community and by so many people around the country who have been inspired by her life. We offer her family our most sincere condolences."

Darnell Haney, who has filled in as Georgetown's interim coach since September, will remain in that role for the 2023-24 season.