Former Ohio State basketball player Jamison Battle had a five-year college career, beginning with two seasons at George Washington, followed by two years at Minnesota, and concluding with a final year at Ohio State. His presence was instrumental in the Buckeyes’ late-season push for an NCAA Tournament bid, particularly after the departure of head coach Chris Holtmann.
During his lone season with Ohio State, Battle was one of the team’s standout performers. He averaged 14.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while maintaining an impressive three-point shooting percentage of nearly 37%. His ability to score in bursts, particularly from beyond the arc, made him a constant offensive threat whenever he was on the floor.
After completing his college career, Battle declared for the NBA Draft but went undrafted. However, he secured an opportunity with the Toronto Raptors, who signed him following his strong performances in the Summer League and preseason. Initially, he was given a two-way contract, allowing him to split time between the NBA and the G League. Since then, he has continued to impress.
Recently, Battle’s contract was upgraded to a fully guaranteed three-year deal, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. This development signifies the Raptors’ confidence in his potential and long-term value to the team. Given that Toronto is currently rebuilding and struggling to be competitive, Battle has been able to earn valuable playing time. While he is not yet a major contributor, he has carved out a role providing solid minutes off the bench.
The Raptors’ recent trade for Brandon Ingram signals their intent to improve, but their bench remains filled with unproven players. Battle has demonstrated enough potential to secure a spot in their rotation for the foreseeable future. His reliable three-point shooting will be a key factor in his continued presence in the NBA.
So far in his rookie season, Battle is averaging 5.4 points per game while shooting an efficient 45.8% from the field. His three-point accuracy has been particularly impressive at 41.7%, indicating that he could benefit from more opportunities to showcase his shooting ability. If he continues to perform at this level, he could develop into a valuable role player for the Raptors in the coming years.
