2016 5-star guard Tyus Battle has announced his commitment to the Orange after previously being committed to Michigan.
Battle confirmed the ESPN report as he tweeted: “Excited to say I have officially committed to Syracuse University!!”
Battle is the 6th ranked SG and 27th ranked overall recruit for 2016 according to 27Sports.  He decomitted from Michigan on June 19th and took an official visit to Syracuse the next day.
Battle told ESPN.¬†”I wanted to be closer to home. They told me I could be a versatile guard who could have the ball in my hands a lot.”
He said that he loved everything about Michigan, “But the key was the distance”.
Things went quiet for a few weeks following his visit and it seemed unlikely the Orange would land the Edison, NJ native after they landed Providence transfer Paschal Chukwu, who would take the Orange’s last available scholarship for 2016.
With Battle’s commitment, one of two things must happen. Someone must leave early (either declare or transfer) after the 2015-16 season, or the Orange must get at least one scholarship back in their appeal of the NCAA sanctions.
There is no question that this is a huge get for the Orange. He was targeted by Michigan, Louisville, Virginia, UConn and Kentucky.
The Orange now have two freshman coming in 2016 as Battle joins the 51st ranked recruit Matthew Moyer.
Battle appears likely to leave Gill St. Bernard High School, which he has attended for three years, and transfer to St. Joseph’s Metuchen for his senior year.
For those Orange fans who are concerned Battle will do to Syracuse what he did to Michigan, his dad can give you some comfort.
He told Syracuse.com that SU is his son’s destination saying that “He’s sure.”
Posted: Logan Grossman
