Dawson Battie’s official visit to Stanford gave the top-25 national recruit plenty to think about, and the 6-foot-8 forward came away impressed by more than just the Cardinal’s reputation.
Battie, the No. 24 overall prospect in the 2027 class and a Dallas (Texas) St. Mark’s standout, said Stanford’s focus on development, academics and setting all made an impact during his trip at the end of last month.
“Their dedication to making their players better stood out to me,” Battie said of Stanford. “Their strength and conditioning program is better than what I initially thought.
Obviously, the environment of being in California and Silicon Valley. Everything is around you, and that would be a great spot to be, coming from St.
Mark's. I'm going to college to be a student as well, so that is important.”
Stanford also made its case by showing Battie how he fits on the floor. He said the staff put together a slideshow comparing his film to the way the Cardinal play, and the match was easy for him to see.
“They had a slideshow where they compared my film to how they play, and their style of play is similar to how I play in travel basketball and high school,” Battie continued. “They share and shoot the ball.
They drive and kick, and it all fits my game the best. Wayne Hunter and I talk about that all the time.”
Stanford is one of several schools pushing hard for Battie. Baylor, Nebraska, SMU and Virginia are also in the mix, and during the weekend Andy Enfield, Fred Hoiberg and an assistant from Baylor were seen at his matchups.
Battie broke down where things stand with each of those programs in his conversation with 247Sports.
At Baylor, the message has been steady and personal.
“They have done a really good job of recruiting me. They have been great.
I have been talking to Scott Drew a lot. We have a group chat with my name on it, and it is amazing.
Just seeing them show support is always great.”
Nebraska has caught his attention with both the coaching and the fit.
“I love the way Coach Hoiberg coaches. I think he is one of the best coaches in college basketball right now.
I think he will be for a long time. I like their play style, the coaching, and the environment.
They were one of the first five schools to jump in for me.
I think Ernie Ziegler had a vision for me from the beginning when he first came to my high school during my freshman year. I have gotten to know their staff, the players, and they really have a good community. Their fan base is ridiculous.”
SMU has been in the picture for a while, too, and Battie pointed to how long the school has been involved.
“That was my second offer. All throughout high school, I have been on their campus for games.
Coach Enfield has been in it from the beginning. I love the way they play and how they distribute the ball.
They did a really good job last season with the players they had. Coach Enfield has always been a top coach for me.
When Jeremie Hart left, the staff picked up where he left off with Dana Ford. I think they have done a good job of recruiting me.”
Virginia, meanwhile, stands out because of the style Battie sees on the court.
“Their style of play sticks out to me. It is a style of play that I have always wanted to replicate. I have not been to their campus, but I will be going soon.”
Battie said he plans to start narrowing things down after this weekend, and he’s using the visits to sort out what matters most before making a call.
“I am trying to figure everything out right now,” Battie said. “That is why I take the visits and talk to the coaches. That is how I plan to figure it out.”
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