Arkansas hoops earns transfer commitment from former Temple guard

It seems like Arkansas basketball has reached out to every player currently in the transfer portal, and it’s paying off for Eric Musselman. The Razorbacks earned their 3rd transfer addition of the offseason Wednesday, receiving a pledge from former Temple guard Khalif Battle.

The 6-5 shooting guard out of New Jersey started his college career at Butler before transferring to Temple in 2021. He played 3 seasons there, averaging 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last season on 41% efficiency and a 35% clip from downtown.

Battle joins Tramon Mark (Houston) and Keyon Menifield Jr. (Washington) as transfer portal additions so far this offseason for Arkansas. And folks… it’s not even been a month since the season ended.

see u soon.. #GoHogs? pic.twitter.com/lbVZf4Q9Ra

— Khalif Battle (@khalifbattle24) April 12, 2023

Battle is a high volume 3-point shooter, something Arkansas simply did not have last season. He also shoots better from range than any Razorback did last season, though Trevon Brazile was a 37% shooter before his injury. Joseph Pinion shot 38% from range, but only attempts 34 shots from downtown.

Battle attempted 220 3-pointers last year with the Owls. For reference, Devo Davis shot the most 3-pointers for Arkansas last season: 136.

But Battle is so much more than just a volume catch-and-shoot player. He also has a knack for drawing fouls and, perhaps most importantly, is a 90% free throw shooter. He also attempted 158 shots within the 3-point line, hitting at a 50% rate.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.