John Battle is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for nine seasons. He was born on June 10, 1962, in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended the University of South Alabama, where he played college basketball.
Battle was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round of the 1985 NBA draft. He played for the Hawks for four seasons, from 1985 to 1989, and was known for his scoring ability and his tenacious defense. He averaged 12.6 points per game during his time with the Hawks and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1986.
In 1989, Battle was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for two seasons. He continued to be a solid contributor off the bench, averaging 9.8 points per game during his time with the Cavaliers.
After his stint with the Cavaliers, Battle played for the Phoenix Suns for two seasons, from 1991 to 1993. He was a key player off the bench for the Suns, helping them reach the NBA Finals in 1993. He averaged 7.5 points per game during his time with the Suns.
Battle finished his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, where he played for one season in 1994-95. He played in 47 games for the Warriors, averaging 5.8 points per game.
Overall, Battle played in 634 NBA games over the course of his career, averaging 9.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He was known for his toughness and his ability to score in a variety of ways, including from mid-range and beyond the arc.
After retiring from the NBA, Battle worked as an assistant coach for several college basketball teams, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Tennessee. He also worked as a scout for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.
In addition to his basketball career, Battle is also known for his philanthropic work. He founded the John Battle Foundation, which provides scholarships and other support to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.
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