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Former WVU Basketball Alumni Now In Same Organization After DJ Rodman Trade

Former WVU star RaeQuan Battle has been traded from the Hornets organization to the Celtics organization in exchange for an NBA Hall of Famer's son, where he will join former Mountaineer and Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
ByDylan Pauley|
Mar 9, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard RaeQuan Battle (21) dribbles against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Mar 9, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard RaeQuan Battle (21) dribbles against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

On Tuesday, former WVU basketball player RaeQuan Battle was traded from the Charlotte Hornets organization to the Boston Celtics organization. In exchange for Battle, the Celtics organization traded DJ Rodman, son of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, and a second-round pick. Battle was traded from the Greensboro Swarm (an affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets) to the Maine Celtics (an affiliate of the Boston Celtics).

Battle only spent one season playing for the Mountaineers (2023-2024) before signing an Exhibit-10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets after the 2024 NBA Draft. Battle’s one season at WVU was under then-interim head coach Josh Eilert and was stalled due to some eligibility issues with the NCAA. Once Battle was cleared, he was an immediate scoring threat for the Mountaineers, averaging 16.1 points per game in his 22 starts.

Battle will be getting a chance to play for another former WVU player in Joe Mazzulla, who serves as the head coach for the Celtics. Battle will have an opportunity to show his talents for one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, but will begin his tenure playing for the Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. There, Battle will have a chance to show Mazzulla and Celtics front office executives what he has to offer for the Celtics.

During the 2024-2025 G League season, Battle averaged 5 points per contest, 1.6 rebounds per contest, and 0.4 assists per contest playing in 10 games for the Greensboro Swarm.

Getting traded for an NBA Hall of Famer’s son shows there is still some belief in Battle to be a productive role player for an NBA team. If Battle can figure it out, receive great coaching advice from former Mountaineer Mazzulla, and string some success together in the G League, Battle just may have a shot at landing a pro contract.

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