Former NBA player Rasual Butler and wife die in Los Angeles crash

Former NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife, American Idol alum Leah LaBelle, have died in a rollover car crash in California.

The couple’s Range Rover crashed around 2:30am today (local time) in the Studio City area, Los Angeles, leaving a swath of damage along a major thoroughfare.

Butler was 38 and his wife was 31.

Los Angeles Police said in a statement Butler was speeding before his vehicle jumped a curb, hitting three parking metres and a concrete wall before flipping over twice.

The vehicle came to rest inside a shopping centre parking lot.

Butler and LaBelle were pronounced dead at the scene, Assistant Chief Investigator with the Los Angeles County coroner's office Ed Winter said.

Labelle, an R&B singer, was a contestant on the third season of American Idol, where she placed twelfth in 2004.

Butler was drafted in 2002 by the Miami Heat in his hometown of Philadelphia.

He played for eight NBA teams during his 13-year career, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.

He had career averages of 7.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Butler's death has sent shock waves through the NBA community.

"This is beyond a sad day for the Miami Heat Family," team president Pat Riley said in a statement.

"Rasual was one of the greatest people we have ever had play for us; a great player, teammate and better person."

Indiana Pacers President Kevin Pritchard expressed a similar sentiment.

"In his one season with us, Rasual was the consummate team player and a great role model for our younger players on how a professional should prepare and act, while being a positive influence on everyone who associated with him," he said.

NBA greats and former teammates have expressed their sympathies on social media. 

Butler is survived by his daughter, Raven, from a previous relationship.