WVU G RaeQuan Battle Reflects on Support Throughout the Year

West Virginia basketball has had a long calendar year in 2023 but one of the positives the program was able to take away was helping RaeQuan Battle get back on the floor.

Battle, a 6-foot-5 guard who transferred from Montana State, had to sit out for the first nine games of the season due to being ineligible. Judge John P. Bailey issued a temporary restraining order on Dec. 13, clearing all multi-time transfers to be eligible for the rest of the season. Battle was the face of the news last week but missed the UMass game due to flu-like symptoms. The Washington native reflected on finally taking the floor for the Mountaineers on Wednesday.

“Relieved more than anything. I’m happy to be out here,” Battle said after the Radford loss. “It’s been a long summer, one of the longest in my life for sure. It’s good to get out there with the team and go to war.”

Battle made the wait worthwhile as he dropped 29 points and six rebounds. The fifth-year senior shot 9-of-21 from the field. Battle missed a crucial free throw in the final sequence in a loss to Radford but there’s more to it. Battle’s reflection postgame continued about the support he’s received since moving to West Virginia.

“It’s been amazing. I felt like I had a whole army behind me, especially West Virginia and the fans in general. Since I touched down in Morgantown during the summer it’s been love ever since. Especially now, going at the NCAA and all that stuff. It was different but it’s cool,” he said.

Battle will look to get West Virginia back into the win column on Saturday against Toledo.