West Virginia has had quite the transfer portal season when it comes to the basketball side of things, and it just got even better with another major pull in Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle.
Battle, 6-foot-5, became a prime target for the Mountaineers and the program was able to seal things up only a few days after he completed his official visit to campus April 22-24.
A highly skilled wing, Battle selected West Virginia over a long list of interest from high-major programs after entering the transfer portal, including Kansas, UCLA, Arizona, St. John’s, Texas and many others.
The Washington native started his career with the in-state Huskies, but left after two seasons and unlocked his skill set during his time at Montana State. This past season was his best to date, averaging 17.7 points and shooting 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from three.
And Battle played some of his best basketball against the most-difficult opponents on his schedule. This past season, Battle scored 27 points against Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament while also scoring 17 against Arizona and 20 against Oregon.
That is evidence that Battle wasn’t just a big fish in a little pond and that his skills translate to a higher level.
Battle is a highly athletic guard that can score at all three levels of the court. An impressive slasher, Battle can put the ball on the floor and finish through contact while demonstrating the ability to elevate quickly. He also displays the ability to consistently shoot the ball both off the dribble and the catch.
The pledge gives the Mountaineers one of the best overall transfer classes in the nation as the program has committed to rebuilding the roster through those means this off-season.
Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting Jay Kuntz has been aggressive in his pursuit of top-level names and most importantly has closed on them after getting them to campus.
It’s just another experienced addition to a West Virginia roster that continues to look better by the day, joining other transfer commitments such as Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, Syracuse center Jesse Edwards and Manhattan guard Omar Silverio. That is on top of the commitments that the program has already received from guard Jose Perez, forward Tre Mitchell and guard Joe Toussaint to return next year.
Each of those names are upperclassmen that have already played a lot of college basketball.
Battle has one year of eligibility remaining in Morgantown and is just another impressive piece to a puzzle that continues to look better by the day. But now, the focus turns to what comes next and how the program sorts out the scholarship numbers moving ahead considering they are currently at 14, which is one over the allotted amount.
It’s only April, but basketball is certainly already on the brain for many fans of the Mountaineers.
BY KEENAN CUMMINGS
TWEET @DomPostSports
