Turner Battle and Daniel Gilbert Sign Professional Contracts Overseas

Battle to play in Estonia and Gilbert to play in Germany

Turner Battle

BUFFALO, NY – Former University at Buffalo basketball players Turner Battle (Kernersville, NC/East Forsyth) and Daniel Gilbert (Detroit, MI/Cass Technical) have signed contracts to play professional basketball overseas. Battle will play in Estonia and Gilbert has signed to play in Germany.

Battle, an AP All-American and Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, will play for BC Kalev - a first division team in Estonia. BC Kalev won the Estonian League Championship last season.

"This is a great opportunity to get a lot of exposure internationally," Battle said. "I'm looking forward to developing my game and reaching my goal of playing in the NBA."

Battle averaged 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists his senior season at UB. He finished his career as the Bulls' fourth all-time leading scorer (1,414 points).

Daniel Gilbert

Gilbert, one of the best defenders to ever don a Bulls' jersey, has signed a contract to play for FC Schalke a second division team in Germany.

"I am excited about the opportunity to play professionally," Gilbert said. "I knew that I would play overseas some day, I am just surprised that it happened so fast."

Gilbert averaged 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals his senior season. He set the school record for games played in a career (118).

Battle and Gilbert join former teammate Mark Bortz (Commerce Township, MI/Walled Lake Central) who has already signed to play professionally in Belgium.

08/25/2005