Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com
UB to Honor Former Standout Turner Battle on Feb. 17
1/6/2024 4:09:00β―PM | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY β Turner Battle, a standout on the University at Buffalo men's basketball team and one of the most influential and impactful players to ever don the royal blue and white will have his number 11 honored on February 17 at Alumni Arena. His number 11 will be lifted to the rafters at halftime of the Bulls' game against Akron.
Battle was the Bulls' point guard from 2001-05 and was the cornerstone of the team's initial accession up the Mid-American Conference ranks. Behind Battle's leadership and stellar play, Buffalo flourished into one of top programs in the league. In 2005, UB won a then-school-record 23 games and advanced to the NIT for the program's first postseason appearance at the Division I level.
Battle finished his career with 1,414 points, 502 rebounds, 458 assists and 170 steals. He was the first player in program history to compile 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists. He is still the only player in school history to lead the team in assists for four straight years.
A Kernersville, NC native and Top 150 recruit out of high school, Battle was a three-time All-MAC selection. In 2005, he became the first UB player to be named Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and also earned All-America honors that same season. A stalwart in the classroom, he was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and was named an Academic All-American in 2005.
After graduating from UB, Battle had a brief professional basketball career overseas and in the NBA Development League before embarking on a coaching career. He was an assistant on the UB men's basketball staff from 2007-13. He was also an assistant coach at Chattanooga (2013-14), UAB (2014-20), East Tennessee State (2020-21) and Middle Tennessee State (2021-22).
In 2022, he and his family moved back to Buffalo when he accepted the athletic director job at The Park School of Buffalo.
Battle was inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
Battle will join five other men's basketball standouts who have had their numbers honored, including Harold Kuhn (no. 19), Jim Horne (no. 13), Curtis Blackmore (no. 52), Sam Pellom (no. 50) and Rasaun Young (also no. 11).
Β
Battle was the Bulls' point guard from 2001-05 and was the cornerstone of the team's initial accession up the Mid-American Conference ranks. Behind Battle's leadership and stellar play, Buffalo flourished into one of top programs in the league. In 2005, UB won a then-school-record 23 games and advanced to the NIT for the program's first postseason appearance at the Division I level.
Battle finished his career with 1,414 points, 502 rebounds, 458 assists and 170 steals. He was the first player in program history to compile 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists. He is still the only player in school history to lead the team in assists for four straight years.
A Kernersville, NC native and Top 150 recruit out of high school, Battle was a three-time All-MAC selection. In 2005, he became the first UB player to be named Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and also earned All-America honors that same season. A stalwart in the classroom, he was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and was named an Academic All-American in 2005.
After graduating from UB, Battle had a brief professional basketball career overseas and in the NBA Development League before embarking on a coaching career. He was an assistant on the UB men's basketball staff from 2007-13. He was also an assistant coach at Chattanooga (2013-14), UAB (2014-20), East Tennessee State (2020-21) and Middle Tennessee State (2021-22).
In 2022, he and his family moved back to Buffalo when he accepted the athletic director job at The Park School of Buffalo.
Battle was inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
Battle will join five other men's basketball standouts who have had their numbers honored, including Harold Kuhn (no. 19), Jim Horne (no. 13), Curtis Blackmore (no. 52), Sam Pellom (no. 50) and Rasaun Young (also no. 11).
Β
In the Bullseye Podcast: Men's Basketball HC George Halcovage III and new GM Turner Battle
Thursday, June 12
Men's Basketball at Akron Postgame Presser
Saturday, March 08
UB vs. Miami(OH) Highlights | Men's Basketball
Wednesday, March 05
UB Men's Basketball vs. Miami(OH) Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 05
