Now headed to Raleigh. According to the article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Batts had always wanted to play for Pack but never received offer from Mark Gottfried. New coach Kevin Keats recruited him while at UNCW so the respective coaching changes at State and VCU have allowed Batts to fulfill his dream.
As such, Batts becomes first defection from VCU’s four player 2017 recruiting class following the departure of Will Wade to LSU. Two recruits - 6-9 G/F Sean Mobely and 6-7 F Marcus Santos-Silva - have reiterated their commitments to the Rams while 6-9 F Mayan Kiir has yet to declare his intentions.