Tyus Battle, the electric 6-foot-5 2016 guard from Gladstone (N.J.) Gill St. Bernard’s, is planning a visit to Kentucky next month after head coach John Calipari reached out to Battle’s father and high school coach on Friday.
Gary Battle, Tyus’ father, told SNY.tv they are looking at a potential June 17 visit to Kentucky following visits to Michigan June 5 and Villanova June 9. He may also visit Duke June 28, as previously reported.
“I just hung up the phone with [Calipari],” Gary said. “He really likes Tyus and he wants to get involved in recruiting him pretty heavily. He thinks he fits the system….He wants to come watch him play and he’s looking forward to seeing him at the Peach Jam and they want to get him on campus.”
Calipari also spoke with Gill coach Mergin Sina, according to Jerry Carino of Gannet New Jersey. Sina is working on setting up the visit.
Gary thinks Tyus, who averaged 22.5 points as a sophomore, fits into Kentucky’s system well.
“He didn’t have that great a spring,” Gary said of his son. “He really struggled with his team [Team Scan]. He had a really good game against Malik Newman.
“He’s such an unselfish player. He kind of fits their system in terms of the dribble drive. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim and make people better by kicking out and driving and dishing. He’s gotta get better at becoming a better catch-and-shoot guy, he’s got a great pullup jump shot.”
Battle will play in the Mary Kline Classic Saturday at West Orange High School.
Photo: Josh Verlin
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