How Syracuse star Tyus Battle almost wound up playing for Dan Hurley

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Back when he was in middle school and casting about for a high school to take his basketball talents to, Tyus Battle visited St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark.

At the time, the Gray Bees were a national power and happened to be led by a young coach on the rise: Dan Hurley.

For a brief period, Gary Battle, Tyus’ father, considered sending his oldest boy to play for Hurley.

“Oh yeah, I do remember that,” 6-foot-6 Tyus Battle said Wednesday by phone. “St. Benedict’s was a really good team at that time. That was at the time when I was looking to go to high school and stuff like that. I mean, he’s a really good coach at all levels he’s been at.”