Recruiting Report: Riley Battin (2018)
The Riley Battin doubters say he’s not athletic enough to play high major college basketball, but what those naysayers don’t factor in is his work ethic and elite inside-out skill set.
The 6-foot-8 Oak Park power forward has spent the last three years working on his versatile and fundamental offensive game, which has piqued the interest of a host of college programs.
Battin, though, has lent his ear to those who criticized his speed, quickness and leaping ability and has quietly reformed his body, dropping weight and getting stronger, which has led to improved explosiveness when finishing in the paint or transition and even a little more speed in triple threat situations.
“I see my athleticism and quickness getting better; I’ve been working really hard on that,” Battin recently told Prep Hoops So-Cal. “I’ve been working with my trainer on guard and big man skill work and I also do jump training and other stuff for athleticism.”
Class of 2018 forward Riley Battin is working tirelessly to improve his athleticism.Battin, along with Oak Park and Earl Watson Elite teammate Wes Slajchert, train daily at the Sports Academy facility in Thousand Oaks, and is well-aware of which parts of his game need some more fine tuning.
“I need to get stronger,” he said. “I have to keep working on my perimeter defense – guarding two’s and three’s – on the next level, especially at the high level. I’ve improved my consistency and range on my 3-point shot.”
Battin’s improved 3-point shot, in addition to his mid-range game and Kevin McHale-esque footwork in the paint, have been a major factor in Earl Watson Elite 17U’s strong spring on the Under Armour circuit.
“The circuit went well,” he said. “We finished 10-2 and tied for second and that’s a pretty good spot heading into (the Under Armour Finals) in Atlanta. We’re trying to build on the spring and turn it into an Under Armour championship.”
Battin helped himself plenty on the recruiting front in during the spring live viewing period, reporting interest from a handful of high major conferences.
“A bunch of schools have been calling after the spring live period,” he said. “Right now it’s mainly Pac 12, Big 10, SEC and Davidson. I really like Davidson.”
The rising senior has plenty of good options to play at the next level, holding scholarship offers from Utah, Vanderbilt, UC Santa Barbara, Davidson and Northwestern among many others, and is clear on what he’s looking for in a school.
“I’m looking for a school where I fit in the offense and somewhere that has good player development,” Battin said. “My goal is to play professionally.”