Former Syracuse basketball star Tyus Battle starts overseas career

Syracuse basketball continues to be a destination for professional careers, as Tyus Battle signs a pro contract in Russia.

Former Syracuse basketball scoring stud Tyus Battle will embark on a new career journey. Battle signed with Russian pro team BC Enisey of the VTM United League. He joins a long list of former Orange standouts who have inked deals abroad, including Tyler Ennis just last week.

Battle was a fan favorite at Syracuse, known for hitting clutch shots time and time again. He was regarded as a matchup nightmare in the ACC, given his 6-foot-6 stature at the shooting guard position.

While playing for Syracuse basketball, Battle averaged 16.0 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He caused many turnovers at the top of the Orange’s patented 2-3 zone, averaging 1.3 steals throughout his 100-plus games in Orange.

The move to Russia comes after Battle spent a year on Minnesota’s G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. There, Battle averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, starting in nearly half of the team’s games. However, he was never called up to play in an NBA game, perhaps sparking his decision to make more money overseas.

According to the BC Enisey depth chart, Battle is already projected as a starter, attesting to his abilities as a basketball player. He has the type of game that can elevate a team and can use this as a pit stop for a successful professional basketball journey.

BC Enisey is currently slated to start their season on September 28, but that date could be changed depending on Covid-19 concerns. The regular season runs 28 games through April 25, 2021.

For Battle, it will be about player development and leading his new team. Battle will be just 23 years old when the season starts, and his youth will be called upon to give the team an extra boost. However, his experience at Syracuse, especially during their 2018 NCAA Tournament run cannot be ignored. He is known as a big gamer and should be counted on as a lead scorer, if not the number one option.

The former Syracuse basketball star is yet another example of Orange players starting professional careers.