The NBA Draft is in June, and Syracuse has two players that will potentially get drafted. Today, we take a look at G/F Tyus Battle, who was Syracuse’s leading scorer at 17.2 points per game.
Here is The Juice Online’s scouting report on Battle:
Strengths: Above-average midrange game… Can hit 3s in bunches… Ability to create separation and space for his own offense… Solid ball handler… Natural shooting guard with versatility to play point guard for small stretches of time… Good free throw shooter… Effective rebounder for his position… Has a flare for the dramatic, hitting several clutch shots in his Orange career.
Weaknesses: Lacks elite athleticism… Lacks NBA explosiveness and first step to consistently get to the rim… Inconsistent scorer who looked disinterested at times… Below average 3-point shooter whose percentages dipped each season in college… Though he was in the top of the SU 2-3 zone, he had a lower steal rate compared to his predecessors… Needs to work on shot mechanics to eliminate a hitch in his form… Average court vision… Struggles at times to finish in traffic.
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NBA Comparison: Denzel Valentine. At Michigan State, Valentine, like Battle, was the Spartan’s do-it-all player who had the ability to directly impact the game despite his lack of superior athleticism. Valentine carved out a niche for himself with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls by becoming a steady 3-point shooter and improving his rebounding and passing by his second season, and also becoming an adequate defender.
Vitals:
- Birthdate: September, 1997
- Hometown: Edison, NJ
- Position: Guard/Forward
- School: Syracuse ’20
- Height, 6’6″
- Weight, 205 lbs
Projection: Late second round to undrafted.
College Highlights: Battle was an All-ACC Second Team selection after his sophomore season and an All-ACC Third Team performer in his junior year. Battle finished sixth in the ACC in scoring (17.2 ppg) and third in the league in minutes played (36.3). In 102 career games at SU, Battle finished 16th in program history with 1,631 points.
Overall: Battle doesn’t possess a plus-plus NBA skill. He’s versatile as a scorer, has the ability to defend, but he doesn’t ooze the potential or athleticism that NBA teams look for when scouting a prospect. That said, Battle, in the right system, can earn his way on to an NBA roster, though he’ll likely have to prove himself in the G League, first.
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