Evan Battey’s journey from the court to the coaching staff

Evan Battey, second from right, talking with players on the bench during the Oklahoma State game. (Photo by Christian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)

When people talk about Colorado assistant coach Evan Battey, one theme is consistent. 

“His energy is different,” Buffs center Fawaz ‘Tacko’ Ifaola said.

His love for the game of basketball has been on display at the University of Colorado ever since he committed to head coach Tad Boyle’s program as a player in 2017. After his four-year career wearing the black and gold, he played for professional teams in Bulgaria and Switzerland. 

Now, Battey is nearing the end of his second season as an assistant coach and quality control analyst with the Buffaloes, and could not be happier. 

“It means the world,” Battey said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I would work for this school in any capacity. This school has given me so much, and I feel like it’s my duty to work diligently and hard for the school.”

As a player, Battey’s career got off to a rocky start. Not only was the forward forced to sit out his freshman season as an academic redshirt for failing to meet the eligibility requirements, but he also suffered a stroke while playing pickup basketball in December that same year. 

In an instant, his whole life changed. 

Instead of working on his jump shot and running up and down the court, Battey was going to physical and speech therapy. The sudden shift in routine was hard for him to handle, but Battey had a great support system. 

“Really a testament to my mom,” Battey said. “Her always saying, ‘don’t ask, why me?’, and ‘don’t ask these questions that victimize yourself’.” 

Battey played the first regular-season game of his outstanding Buffalo career in November 2018 and never missed another game during his tenure at Colorado. The 6-foot-8 forward started 108 games and played in all 133 games for the Buffaloes from 2018-22. Battey ranks fourth in games played and eighth in games started for the Buffs. 

Consistency is what made Battey one of the best Buffaloes to step on the hardwood. He credits Boyle for instilling mental toughness in him and strives to teach those same lessons as a coach. 

“You’re not going to have good days every day,” Battey said. “To take a day where you struggle and turn that into a better day tomorrow, that’s what I learned.”

As a former power forward, one of Battey’s roles on the team is to help develop the big men, especially Ifaola. 

The 7-foot, 245-pound, Lagos, Nigeria native has two starts in 17 appearances this season. He averages 0.8 points and two rebounds in just over eight minutes per game. With plenty of room to grow into a physical interior force, Ifaola appreciates the consistency Battey brings as a coach. 

“We work before practice every time,” Ifaola said. “He’s helping my game, and I'm improving a lot working with him.”

As a coach, Battey does his best to teach more than just the game of basketball. He knows there is more to life, and wants his players to understand that. 

His stroke stands as a reminder.

“There’s plenty of adversity outside of the game,” Battey said. “So this adversity that you’re going through, it's all a mindset, and it’s all minimal in the grand scheme of things.”

Battey’s positive mindset and ability to light up a room with his liveliness are some of the traits Boyle admires most about him.  

“He brings energy and passion,” Boyle said. “Team-first guy, always wanting to win. All the things Evan Battey was as a player, he is as a coach.”

Battey has high ambitions for himself, ultimately wanting to become the head coach at Colorado. Traditionally, it takes upwards of seven to 10 years of assistant coaching before the opportunity arises to run your own program, and Battey was still lacing up his shoes less than two years ago. 

It could be a long road to the top, but early praise indicates Battey is on the right track. 

“He’s still making that transformation,” Boyle said. “Obviously, will be a great coach someday, and he’s off to a good start.”