Ohio State forward Earns Contract with Toronto Raptors After Impressive Summer League Performance
Jamison Battle, a standout forward from Ohio State, did not hear his name called during last month’s NBA Draft, but he seized his opportunity with the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Summer League. Battle’s impressive play earned him a contract with the Raptors after just two games in Las Vegas.
The terms of Battle’s contract were not disclosed, but according to Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy, he signed an Exhibit 10 deal. This one-year, non-guaranteed contract can provide a bonus of up to $75,000 if Battle is waived and spends at least 60 days with the Raptors’ G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
Battle’s stellar shooting helped secure the contract. He shot 66.7 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from three-point range in his first two games. In his debut, Battle scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, along with one rebound and one assist. He followed that up with an 11-point performance, again on 4-of-6 shooting, adding another rebound and assist.
Battle transferred to Ohio State for his final college season after two years each at George Washington and Minnesota. At Ohio State, he averaged 15.3 points per game, the second-highest on the team, and shot 46.9 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from three-point range. He led the Big Ten in free throw percentage at 92.6 percent, ranking sixth nationally. Battle also contributed 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in 31.3 minutes per contest.
Before Ohio State, Battle started 56 games over two seasons at Minnesota. In his final year with the Golden Gophers, he averaged 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 37 percent from the field and 31 percent from three. His junior season was his best, with career highs of 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and a shooting percentage of 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
Battle began his collegiate career at George Washington, where he averaged 17.3 points and 5.2 rebounds as a sophomore, earning All-Atlantic 10 third team honors. As a freshman, he averaged 11.8 points and shot 39.9 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three-point range.
Overall, Battle averaged 14.6 points on 43.1 percent shooting and 36.9 percent from three-point range, with 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game over his college career.
With his contract signed, Battle will continue with the Raptors’ Summer League team, hoping to secure a spot on Toronto’s 15-man roster or land with Raptors 905 for the upcoming season.
