Tyus Battle Will Continue Syracuse Basketball NBA Draft Streak Next Year
The Syracuse basketball team has been a factory for producing future first round NBA talent in recent years. Here’s why Tyus Battle is next.
While some have suggested that the recent trends of the Syracuse basketball team has been spiraling, that hasn’t translated to the NBA Draft analytics.
Try to comprehend these numbers, they’re mind blowing:
- 24 first rounders in history
- Six straight years of first round draft choices. The only teams who have longer streaks are Duke and Kentucky.
- Also 9 out of the last 10 years, there’s been Orange in the first round.
Mark it down, those numbers will continue next season. Why you may ask?
Tyus Freaking Battle.
A 6’6 205 pound guard who showed confidence, consistent three point shooting from beyond the arc, and a relentless that nearly saw him leave for the NBA Draft this past season.
Here are some of his accolades from last season thanks to our friends at Cuse.com:
- Battle was named to the All-ACC Academic Men’s Basketball Team
- Battle accumulated 60 3-pointers, the fourth-best freshman total in SU history
- His 43 steals ranked third on the club
Also something that goes beyond statistics. Battle stepped up when it mattered most. SU may
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have missed the NCAA tournament bid, but they had some really exciting moments that included three top-10 upsets.
In those games, Battle either scored a ton of points or contributed in other ways. The true highlight was his career-high 23 points over No. 9 Virginia. But the play that everyone will remember is his last second buzzer beater against Clemson.
He was two-of-seven from the field and didn’t play well in that game, but stepped up in the clutch. Now with a full year of experience under his belt, he’s ready for more. Which comes at a good time when considering the state of the franchise.
A lot of experience is gone: Tyler Lydon got drafted, Tyler Roberson, Andrew White, John Gillon, and Dajuan Coleman are all gone. With minimal upperclassmen left on the team, Battle will have to assume a bigger leadership role.
He’s got a NBA game. Last year I kept getting Malachi Richardson flashbacks with that step back jumper. Selfishly I hope he stays at SU and helps the team win championships, but realistically he’s good as gone next season.
Next: Syracuse Football Sitdown: 2019 Prospect Mershawn Rice, WR/FS
Although before he leaves he’ll definitely be at the top of the ACC player of The Year lists to start the season. But whatever NBA team invests and makes Battle SU’s 25th first round pick and seventh straight first rounder, will be getting a savvy youngster who can provide a scoring punch and a swagger.