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2018 NBA Draft: Hands, Porter, Battle pull out of draft to return to school

By Gavin Axelrod

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 and Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers fight for a rebound with Christ Koumadje #21 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 16: Jontay Porter #11 and Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers fight for a rebound with Christ Koumadje #21 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Tyus Battle speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 17: Tyus Battle speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. /

Tyus Battle, Syracuse, Returning For Junior Year

If you were to pick a “headliner” from Wednesday’s announcements it would be Tyus Battle. The 20-year old averaged 19.2 points and 2.1 assists per game this past season. He also score 20 or more points 15 times and 30 or more points twice.

Battle lead a No. 11 seed Orange to the Sweet 16 this past March. He is a very dynamic scorer and can attack the lane as well as, shoot from beyond-the-arc. Here is a look at Battles numbers from the tournament:

  • First Four vs #11 Arizona State: 40 minutes played,15 points, 3 assists
  • Round of 64 vs #7 TCU: 40 minutes played, 7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
  • Round of 32 vs #3 Michigan State: 40 minutes played, 17 points, 2 assists
  • Sweet 16 vs #2 Duke: 40 minutes played, 19 points, 5 assists

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With the return of its star guard Syracuse’s entire starting five from this past season stays in tact. Battle had been projected to be a second-round pick in this year’s draft. However, going back to school should help raise his stock in the coming months.