Another former Buckeye has earned an opportunity to play in the NBA this season.
The Toronto Raptors announced on Saturday that they have converted former Ohio State forward Jamison Battle to a two-way contract for the 2024-25 campaign, making Battle one of three two-way players for the Raptors this season.
The two-way deal is a corresponding move that came after the Raptors waived guards Jahmi’us Ramsey and Jared Rhoden and center Branden Carlson.
Battle earns a spot on the Raptors roster this season after appearing in five preseason games for the franchise this fall, where he averaged 6.4 points and 9.8 minutes per game and helped Toronto to a 3-2 record. He also made his mark for the Raptors in the NBA Summer League after being invited to play on their roster in late June, a performance that compelled the franchise to sign him as an undrafted free agent on July 16.
Battle, who averaged 15.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting a near-Big Ten-leading 43.3 percent from three in his lone season with Ohio State in 2023-24, now earns the opportunity to compete at the highest level on a Toronto team that is filled with young talent, including former first-round NBA Draft picks Grady Dick and Scottie Barnes.
Under a two-way contract, Battle is simultaneously rostered on the Raptors NBA team and its G League affiliate, Raptors 905. He can play a maximum of 50 games with the Raptors and cannot be on the playoff roster.
The Raptors begin their season Wednesday night at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. on Sportsnet.
