Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed profile of John Battle:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: John Sidney Battle
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on November 9, 1962
  • Hometown: Washington, D.C., USA
  • Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters)
  • Weight: 175 pounds (79 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 3 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: 10, 12
  • Position: Shooting guard / Point guard
  • High School: McKinley Technology High School (Washington, D.C.)
  • College: Rutgers University (1980–1985)
  • NBA Draft: 1985, 4th round, 84th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Atlanta Hawks (1985–1991)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (1991–1995)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information about his children is not widely publicized
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely available

Player Archetype / Play Style

John Battle’s player archetype was that of a scoring combo guard, a quick perimeter piece who could function as an off-ball shooter or secondary ball-handler while supplying steady backcourt offense. Defensively, he fit more as a competitive positional guard than a true stopper, using effort, anticipation, and mobility to stay with assignments on the perimeter rather than overpower matchups physically. Offensively, his role centered on floor spacing, slashing into openings, and giving lineups supplementary shot creation, with enough feel to keep the ball moving and enough scoring touch to punish defensive lapses. At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, Battle had a lean guard frame built more for speed and balance than brute strength, and his overall play style was defined by smooth scoring support, functional playmaking, and reliable perimeter skill within a team structure.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference.com — John Battle Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame — John Battle (1997)
Sports-Reference.com — John Battle College Stats