Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Sign Amber Battle to National Letter of Intent
November 11, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech women's basketball program has announced the signing of Amber Battle (Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent to attend Texas Tech in the fall of 2011.
"Amber is a very talented young lady with unbelievable athleticism," said head coach Kristy Curry. "We have worked hard since her freshman year for this day, and are so thankful it is finally here. Amber comes from a wonderful family and we are excited to now have them as part of the Texas Tech family. We feel like she is a great fit for our system and could be a huge asset on both ends of the floor. Amber has tremendous potential and has a bright future both on and off the court at Texas Tech."
Battle is the 13th-ranked guard in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz.com, as well as the No. 76 overall player. She is the third (Monique Smalls and Kelsi Baker) top 100 player in the last three years to sign with Texas Tech, while transfers Teena Wickett and Casey Morris were also top 100 players coming out of high school.
Battle plays AAU for the New Mexico Heat Elite and was a teammate of current Lady Raiders Antiesha Brown, Haley Schneider and Ebony Walker.
As a junior, the 5-9 guard was named second team all-state and first team all-metro while being selected first team all-district and District Player of the Year. She was twice named District Player of the Month and was her team's Defensive Player of the year as well. Battle averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists as a junior. During her sophomore year, Battle was first team all-state, all-metro and all-district. She was named her team's Offensive Player of the Year and was named District Player of the Month once. Her team finished second in the state tournament as Battle scored a game-high 23 points. As a freshman, she was her team's Newcomer of the Year and named first team all-district and second team all-state and all-metro.
"Texas Tech is a top-ranked educational university and that was important for my decision," Battle stated. "I felt that the academic advisors and staff are interested in my well-being. I loved the atmosphere and closeness of the campus. I liked the interest that the coaches showed in me since the ninth grade. It's a very family oriented atmosphere. I have felt a loyalty to the school and coaches since I was a freshman."
What They Are Saying About Amber Battle
Lori Stephenson, Cibola High School Head Coach
"Amber is the most athletic kid I have ever coached. It will be exciting to follow her development in Big 12 basketball. I predict she will keep her game up tremendously early in her career as she thrives on competition and the level of play will allow her to show all of her athleticism."
Robert L. Sanchez, New Mexico Heat Elite Coach
"Amber Battle may be the fastest and most explosive girls' basketball player in the nation. Her ability to run away or jump over the completion is obvious to anyone who has seen her play. Her athletic ability shines at the defensive side of the ball. With her length and quickness, she just over powers her opponent. Once she settles into the training and conditioning that Texas Tech is going to impose on her, she will just explode on the Big 12 scene. I can only imagine the headaches she is going to give the opposing coaching staffs when she hits the floor. Her future as a basketball player is only limited to what Amber's goals are for herself. She is an outstanding team player and a favorite of all who have played with her. Humble, gracious and coachable are adjectives one can use when describing Amber Battle."
