Penn State U. could be losing its best player, with junior guard Talor Battle testing the waters of the June 24 NBA Draft.
Battle filed paperwork Thursday to be eligible to work out with NBA teams but did not hire an agent, meaning he can choose to return to school before May 8.
“I’ve spoken with the coaches, and they understood,” Battle said in a teleconference Thursday evening. “At some point, you gotta do what’s best for you and your family. And for mine, testing this out is the best. You never know what could happen. If I can take care of my family at all, that’s my goal and biggest priority.”
Battle earned second-team All-Big Ten honors this season, averaging 18.5 points per game for the 11-20 Nittany Lions. The Albany, N.Y., native was named to the conference’s first team in 2009 and led the United States in scoring this past summer at the World University Games in Serbia.
Calvin Booth is Penn State’s highest draft selection in school history, selected 35th overall by the Washington Wizards in 1999.
Before this year, the NCAA’s eligibility rule allowed players to withdraw their names up to 10 days before the draft date. This season, the NCAA limited the window of time players have to work out for NBA teams.
Players have until April 25 to enter their names into the draft and can work out with teams until May 8 before eliminating their college eligibility.
When Battle was asked of his plans should projections put him outside the two-round draft, the guard said he would “rush back to school as fast as I can.” This could be a learning experience for him if projections are lower than he is expecting, he said.
“His intentions are to return to Penn State next year, unless God will grant us a miracle and shine down on him and have some team pick him up this year in the first round,” Battle’s mother, Denise Murphy, said.
While Battle has proven his ability to score and rebound at the college level, his 6-foot, 170-pound frame is his main limitation on his draft status. Jerry Palm, owner of collegeRPI.com, said guards are “a dime a dozen,” and the pros draft more on potential than performance.
“I don’t really see a lot of reason for optimism from him in terms of the draft,” Palm said. “I would expect he probably comes back to school.”
Taran Buie, Battle’s half-brother, is committed to join the Nittany Lions for next season. Battle said he would love to play with his brother, but the decision to go to the draft would be based on his family’s best interests, not the desire to play in the same backcourt as Buie.
Battle said he has not been in contact with any NBA teams but is hoping to get in as many workouts as he can before he makes his decision. The difficult part will be getting to workouts. Under NCAA rules, he is prohibited from working out while in class.
Despite Battle’s size, Palm wouldn’t rule out the guard making it to the next level. For Battle, he knows he has time to change his mind and learn.
“If this year doesn’t work out, then I know what to expect next year,” Battle said. “That’s a decision I’ll make with my family. I’m definitely not ruling out the option of coming back to school. I love my team and my coach and Penn State, so one more year won’t kill me.