Post by ashes on Sept 17, 2008 2:13:37 GMT -5
The Legend of Kenny Battle Jr.[/u]
By Ryan Isaac
Updated: June 21st, 2024
Kenny Battle Jr.
Ring any bells?
It might, but probably shouldn’t. In fact, the only reason why anyone would remember the name is because of the commotion around his attempt to be on a team in the UOSL. But his dream was crushed. Here’s the story – of Kenny Battle Jr.
Battle was a star for the Cedar Falls Tigers, a high school in Iowa. It was his dream to some day play professionally. He was strong athletically and academically. He led the Tigers to three state championship games, finally winning it his senior year. Battle was highly praised by college scouts all around, but he finally sat down and committed to the University of Iowa.
He played three years for the Hawkeyes of Iowa, proudly wearing the black and gold, leading them to one Big Ten Conference Championship, and three NCAA Tournament births where he carried the team to the Sweet Sixteen twice, and the Final Four once. He led the team in scoring, assists, and steals, and ended his tenure with averages of 17.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 2.4 SPG.
The next step was clear for Battle after his Junior season: He’d make it to the UOSL without a shadow of a doubt. Or at least, that’s what he thought.
Fifty-eight picks went by, and he didn’t hear his name. He sat in his living room with his family and friends, stunned. Without words he left the room, overcome with anger and grief.
Battle had hired an agent, and therefore could not return to Iowa. The next day, his agent called him telling him not give up, as was the general consensus around his inner circle. Coaches, family, and friends – all of them told him not to give up. His agent had masterfully worked his craft and got Battle into workouts with various UOSL teams around the league.
Battle had impressed many teams around the league with his work ethic and his skill set. It would seem that scouts had labeled Battle all wrong, and teams were mistaken to overlook him. He had an effortless stroke and was a tenacious on-ball defender, but wasn’t afraid to gamble for steals. It seemed the UOSL was in sight; however, Battle would fall victim to the business of the sport, and foul play.
He had reached an agreement with the Brooklyn Nets, and signed a contract; however, without his approval, his agent had promised him to the Golden State Warriors. The situation was a mess. The end result was contractual obligations to both the Nets and the Warriors, and the league was in uproar. Faced with a terribly difficult decision, the UOSL Commissioner prohibited Battle from the league due to this recklessness, even if it wasn’t something Battle could control. Battle would be suspended from signing with a team for an undisclosed amount of time. His dreams were effectively crushed.
Reality was harsh and cruel. Battle had nowhere to turn to, and his agent abandoned him. He returned to the University of Iowa and finished his degree in Sports Management, ironically. He went on to join the coaching staff of the Iowa Hawkeyes and helped lead them to their first National Championship in 2021.
Kenny Battle Jr. was something of a legend in the state of Iowa. The only blemish, or as the Iowans called it, the only travesty was he never got his chance at the Pro level. Well, at least at the UOSL that is.
June of 2021, Battle received a call from a European scout. The scout worked for the European basketball club, AXA FC Barcelona. He was offering him a try-out. At first, Battle was reluctant, but with family persuasion and his own inner desire to compete again, he took the chance.
He flew out to Barcelona, Spain and met with club representatives. The tryout process wasn’t too different than what he was familiar with, and Battle performed excellently. He was a standout success at the tryout and made the squad. He signed a three-year deal worth around $7 Million USD. Needless to say his time in Europe was a success.
He was the Liga ACB MVP all three seasons, from 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024. He led AXA FC Barcelona to three Liga ACB titles, three King’s Cup victories, and two Euroleague titles, making AXA FC Barcelona two-time Triple Crown winners in basketball. He averaged 25.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 2.5 SPG during his three MVP years and was one of the most proclaimed players in all of Europe.
So where is Kenny Battle Jr. now? It’s hard to say, but he wasn’t in Iowa. Some say he’s still playing in Europe. Some say he’s playing elsewhere. This reporter hasn’t been able to track him down, so who knows the real answer? Sources close to Battle say he’s trying for something bigger. Some say he’s eyeing the UOSL.
Hopefully you know a little bit more about Kenny Battle Jr. now. High school marvel, college graduate, Euro champion, and hometown legend. What’s next? Only time will tell.
Ryan Isaac is a staff writer for ESPN.com.
By Ryan Isaac
Updated: June 21st, 2024
Kenny Battle Jr.
Ring any bells?
It might, but probably shouldn’t. In fact, the only reason why anyone would remember the name is because of the commotion around his attempt to be on a team in the UOSL. But his dream was crushed. Here’s the story – of Kenny Battle Jr.
Battle was a star for the Cedar Falls Tigers, a high school in Iowa. It was his dream to some day play professionally. He was strong athletically and academically. He led the Tigers to three state championship games, finally winning it his senior year. Battle was highly praised by college scouts all around, but he finally sat down and committed to the University of Iowa.
He played three years for the Hawkeyes of Iowa, proudly wearing the black and gold, leading them to one Big Ten Conference Championship, and three NCAA Tournament births where he carried the team to the Sweet Sixteen twice, and the Final Four once. He led the team in scoring, assists, and steals, and ended his tenure with averages of 17.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 2.4 SPG.
The next step was clear for Battle after his Junior season: He’d make it to the UOSL without a shadow of a doubt. Or at least, that’s what he thought.
Fifty-eight picks went by, and he didn’t hear his name. He sat in his living room with his family and friends, stunned. Without words he left the room, overcome with anger and grief.
Battle had hired an agent, and therefore could not return to Iowa. The next day, his agent called him telling him not give up, as was the general consensus around his inner circle. Coaches, family, and friends – all of them told him not to give up. His agent had masterfully worked his craft and got Battle into workouts with various UOSL teams around the league.
Battle had impressed many teams around the league with his work ethic and his skill set. It would seem that scouts had labeled Battle all wrong, and teams were mistaken to overlook him. He had an effortless stroke and was a tenacious on-ball defender, but wasn’t afraid to gamble for steals. It seemed the UOSL was in sight; however, Battle would fall victim to the business of the sport, and foul play.
He had reached an agreement with the Brooklyn Nets, and signed a contract; however, without his approval, his agent had promised him to the Golden State Warriors. The situation was a mess. The end result was contractual obligations to both the Nets and the Warriors, and the league was in uproar. Faced with a terribly difficult decision, the UOSL Commissioner prohibited Battle from the league due to this recklessness, even if it wasn’t something Battle could control. Battle would be suspended from signing with a team for an undisclosed amount of time. His dreams were effectively crushed.
Reality was harsh and cruel. Battle had nowhere to turn to, and his agent abandoned him. He returned to the University of Iowa and finished his degree in Sports Management, ironically. He went on to join the coaching staff of the Iowa Hawkeyes and helped lead them to their first National Championship in 2021.
Kenny Battle Jr. was something of a legend in the state of Iowa. The only blemish, or as the Iowans called it, the only travesty was he never got his chance at the Pro level. Well, at least at the UOSL that is.
June of 2021, Battle received a call from a European scout. The scout worked for the European basketball club, AXA FC Barcelona. He was offering him a try-out. At first, Battle was reluctant, but with family persuasion and his own inner desire to compete again, he took the chance.
He flew out to Barcelona, Spain and met with club representatives. The tryout process wasn’t too different than what he was familiar with, and Battle performed excellently. He was a standout success at the tryout and made the squad. He signed a three-year deal worth around $7 Million USD. Needless to say his time in Europe was a success.
He was the Liga ACB MVP all three seasons, from 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024. He led AXA FC Barcelona to three Liga ACB titles, three King’s Cup victories, and two Euroleague titles, making AXA FC Barcelona two-time Triple Crown winners in basketball. He averaged 25.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 2.5 SPG during his three MVP years and was one of the most proclaimed players in all of Europe.
So where is Kenny Battle Jr. now? It’s hard to say, but he wasn’t in Iowa. Some say he’s still playing in Europe. Some say he’s playing elsewhere. This reporter hasn’t been able to track him down, so who knows the real answer? Sources close to Battle say he’s trying for something bigger. Some say he’s eyeing the UOSL.
Hopefully you know a little bit more about Kenny Battle Jr. now. High school marvel, college graduate, Euro champion, and hometown legend. What’s next? Only time will tell.
Ryan Isaac is a staff writer for ESPN.com.
Awesome.