Battey’s back: Beloved CU Buffs player returns as Tad Boyle assistant

BOULDER — Evan Battey’s love for the city in the shadow of the Flatirons is unyielding.

That’s why, after two years away, he’s returning to a place he loves that loves him back.

Battey was recently hired as the newest assistant coach on Tad Boyle’s staff. He's picked up where he left off with the community he called home for five years as a player — and now for the foreseeable future.

“It’s gratifying,” Battey said. “It’s the same sort of love. I love this place so much. It’s just a true, genuine feeling. People love me because I love this place. I’m glad to see everybody’s faces. It’s just surreal.”

During his playing days, Battey became a beloved figure in Boulder as one of the most memorable players of the Boyle era. His involvement with the community earned him the nickname "The Mayor" after countless hours getting to know the biggest supporters of the program on and off the court.

By the end of his college career, Battey was an all-conference forward who had transformed his game, going from a bruising post player to a spot-up shooter from 3-point range.

His success on the court continued after he graduated.

Battey played two seasons in Europe, most recently for the Lugano Tigers in Switzerland where he averaged over 19 points and eight rebounds across 26 games last season.

Offers to continue playing overseas have come and will continue to come. But Battey is choosing to do what makes him the happiest — and that’s being in Boulder.

“I saw the way my life was going, the trajectory,” Battey said. “I wanted to be a coach. I voiced that many times over my time here. The opportunity came and I jumped at it. I’ve always loved playing basketball. I love working on my game. But, I love playing wherever with whoever. I like playing with my guys.”

Battey’s guys include members of the current Team Colorado squad. He’s part of the annual summer hoops circuit called "The Basketball Tournament" — a 64-team, single-elimination competition with a winner-take-all $1 million prize. Battey and CU alums D’Shawn Schwartz, Andre Roberson, Shane Gatling, Shannin Sharpe and more are in the quarterfinals this week with a matchup against the Houston alumni team named “Forever Coogs."

But Battey also has plenty of his guys in the program, too. Aside from Boyle, assistant coaches Mike Rohn, Bill Grier and Zach Ruebesam are still around from his playing days. So are some of the freshmen from his final Buffs team, Julian Hammond III and Javon Ruffin.

Above all, though, is newly named graduate assistant CJ Armitage, a student manager for the Buffs for the past three seasons, who developed a close relationship with Battey during his senior season.

“Just being able to see him in the office everyday and work with him closely, that’s amazing for me,” Battey said.

It’s easy to see why Battey was such an easy hire for Boyle to make, too.

The program is undergoing somewhat of a transition as the top six players from last season are gone. That team won multiple NCAA Tournament games for only the second time in program history. There are plenty of newcomers on the Buffs this summer, including a trio of freshmen that will play key roles over the coming years.

As someone who has yet to turn 26, Battey is in a unique position of being able to relate to the current generation of college athletes while also holding their respect from his own personal success as a player.

“I think in terms of the things I’m going to task him with is going to be communication and the relationship with players that are in the program,” Boyle said. “That’s first and foremost to me.”

There’s also another aspect where Battey is expected to contribute — recruiting.

While CU is shifting to the Big 12 this season, that means plenty of new markets and several elite programs in a new-look conference.

There may be a shift in prioritizing more in hot spots like Texas, the midwest and the south. But Battey’s roots should help keep another area alive — southern California.

“I’m still well-connected, well-versed on the west coast. Obviously, I’m from there,” Battey said. “It’s different now. You used to be able to sell that we were going to play USC and UCLA in (Los Angeles) and that was a huge reason I came to Colorado because I got to play in front of my hometown (friends and family). I’m still gonna recruit in that area because I think that’s the best basketball state in the world.”

The start of the 2024-25 season is now less than 100 days away. When the season opens Nov. 4 against Eastern Washington, Battey will be where he belongs — the CU Events Center.

“There’s no better Buff in my mind from head to toe than Evan Battey,” Boyle said.