STORRS, Conn. -- Caron Butler is headed to the NBA after a sophomore season in which he led Connecticut to the NCAA Tournament final eight and was co-Big East player of the year.

		Caron Butler's stock just exploded with his sensational performance in the NCAA Tournament. You'd love to have that stock in your portfolio, baby! Butler is one of the few underclassmen who's ready to make a contribution as a rookie and be a factor in an NBA team's rotation (as opposed to being drafted on long-term potential). More...

"This was a very hard decision. It was brutal," a teary Butler said Thursday. "But I had to do what's best for me."

The forward averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds, leading the Huskies (27-7) to the Big East tournament championship.

Butler scored a career-high 34 points in a second-round NCAA victory over North Carolina State and then had 32 in a loss to eventual national champion Maryland in the East Regional final.

"He's ready to go to the NBA draft," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. "It's been special for me. I've watched him carry this team with incredible dignity and tremendous, tremendous will."

Calhoun said both he and Butler knew that the time was right to head to the pros. The 6-foot-7 Butler is considered the prototype small forward for the NBA with his outside shooting, slashing to the basket and his ability to finish on the offensive backboard. The Connecticut staff wasn't shocked by Butler's decision and knew that he was a candidate to leave after two seasons once they signed him from Maine Central Institute.

If Butler is one of the top 13 picks in the June 26 NBA draft, he would be guaranteed a three-year contract worth at least $3.9 million. NBA scouts have told ESPN.com that Butler could go as high as No. 3 or 4, depending on the needs of the teams selecting in those spots. The lottery will be determined on May 19, a week after the early-entry deadline for underclassmen.

Butler was arrested 15 times before he was 15, and spent a year in jail for bringing a gun and cocaine to school. He said the fact that he has two small children played a big role in his decision.

"I'm in a position to take care of my family for the rest of their lives," he said.

Donyell Marshall, Ray Allen and Richard Hamilton all left Connecticut early and were first-round draft picks.

ESPN.com's Andy Katz contributed to this report.