Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WAER works hard to bring you award-winning sports coverage in Central New York. With a Sports staff of more than 20 people, you get comprehensive coverage of Syracuse University Football, Men's Basketball, and Men's Lacrosse. The best play by play on the air combined with regular morning and afternoon sports updates make WAER the source for sports in Central New York. See the legacy video here. See what it's like being in WAER Sports00000176-de2c-dce8-adff-feeff0ff000000000176-de2c-dce8-adff-feeff0ff0003

Tyus Battle Returning to SU to Hone Skills, Bolster Basketball Team & Chance to Finish Degree

Cuse.com

Syracuse Basketball fans will have another familiar face on the court once the season gets started.  Tyus Battle yesterday officially withdrew his name from the N-B-A draft … and plans to come back to school for his junior year.  Battle spent the last few weeks getting assessed by pro teams, including attending the N-B-A combine. 

He made visits and did workouts for several teams.  He was considered by some analysts as likely to be a second-round draft pick.  First round picks have guaranteed contracts, while in the second round, contracts and income are less certain.

STUDENT AND ATHLETE

Battle has both basketball and college reasons to return

"Although I may have been picked by the NBA team of my dreams, I feel it is in my best interest at this time to focus on improving some fine points in my game while continuing to work toward achieving my degree.”

Previous media reports suggested his family placed a high value on college education, wanting him to finish his degree.   He was named to the A-C-C all-academic team as a freshman and a sophomore. 

Battle was the leading scorer last year on a team that made it to the N-C-A-A championship’s Sweet 16.  He averaged 19.2 points per game, and in a team that struggled with depth, played a nation-leading 39 minutes-a-game, more than 40 minutes-a-game in ACC games. 

He’s ready to make a push for a successful post-season for Syracuse Basketball fans.

"This year it's all about the 'Cuse! I'd like to send a shout out to all the 'Cuse fans who supported me throughout this process as well as my family, coaches, teammates and Drew Hanlen."

Credit Cuse.com
Battle against Michigan State in this past NCAA tournament

STILL A PROMISING PRO CAREER

Battle had individual workouts with the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic.  And may well have been drafted or given the chance to sign a free-agent contract with another team.  He still plans to pursue the dream.

"My plan is to re-enter the draft next year. Going back to Syracuse is an easy decision on many levels. That is where I want to be for now. I had incredible workouts with some amazing NBA organizations. However, the NBA (God-willing) will be in a future chapter for me.”

IN addition to Battle, the team brings back the entire lineup that started the last game of the season: Battle, Oshae Brissett, Frank Howard, Marek Dolezaj and Paschal Chukwu.  The team will also have incoming guard Jalen Carey and Coach Jim Boeheim's son, Buddy.  The roster will further be strengthened by Elijah Hughes, a transfer who sat out last season.  

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.