WVU’s Edwards, Battle Crack The Almanac’s Preseason Top-100 List

WVU’s Jesse Edwards and RaeQuan Battle have made The Almanac’s Preseason top-100 rankings. The Almanac, which is a college basketball preview of all teams created by national media, has Edwards at No. 71 and Battle at No. 87.

Two of the best 🫡#HailWV pic.twitter.com/R825n9ZkM4

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) September 29, 2023

Edwards (6-foot-11) is the centerpiece of West Virginia’s transfer portal haul this offseason, coming in as a top-five transfer recruit. Edwards averaged 14.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks on 59 percent shooting from the field during his senior year at Syracuse. Edwards was named to the All-ACC Third Team this past season. Edwards has started for the Orange in the past two years. Edwards played seven minutes against West Virginia in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Edwards has one year of eligibility remaining.

Edwards averaged 18 points and eight rebounds throughout a three-game FIBA Pre-Qualifying group stage for The Netherlands.

Battle (6-foot-5) started in all 35 games this past season, averaging 17.7 points on 47 percent shooting from the field, 35 percent from three and 83 percent from the free throw line. The Tulip, Wa. native scored 27 points against Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Battle was named to the All-Big Sky First Team during his senior year. Battle began his collegiate career at Washington.

Battle will need a waiver cleared by the NCAA to compete during the 2023-24 season due to being a multi-time transfer. WVU has submitted Battle’s waiver and is complying with anything else the NCAA needs to make their decision.

The Almanac has West Virginia finishing 12th in the Big 12 this season.