Cibona Signs American Guard Who Shone in Summer League
Khalif Battle arrives from Italy's Trento, with coach Ivan Rudež highlighting his athleticism and versatility.
Khalif Battle arrives from Italy's Trento, with coach Ivan Rudež highlighting his athleticism and versatility.
Basketball club Cibona has officially confirmed a new addition for the upcoming season. The Zagreb-based club has bolstered its ranks with 26-year-old American guard Khalif Battle, who joins after his first professional season in Europe, spent with Italian club Dolomiti Energia Trento.
The news was accompanied on August 3, 2026, by a statement from Cibona's coach Ivan Rudež, who did not hide his satisfaction with the new player. "Khalif is a young and modern player with very good athleticism and versatility, meaning the ability to cover multiple perimeter positions. Last season he completed his rookie year in Italy, taking the first step in adapting to European basketball, and we believe that in our jersey he can go a step further and bring a new dimension to our game," Rudež said for Sportklub.
Battle, who stands 196 centimeters tall, averaged 12.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in Italy's Serie A. Before arriving in Europe, he had a notable college career, playing for Butler, Temple, Arkansas, and finally Gonzaga. During the 2022/23 season, he was Temple's leading scorer with an average of 17.9 points per game, and the following year, playing for Arkansas, he averaged 14.8 points. With Gonzaga, he won the West Coast Conference tournament and secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament, finishing the season with averages of 13.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, along with an incredible 93.2 percent accuracy from the free-throw line.
After his college career, Battle played in the NBA Summer League for the Phoenix Suns, where he shone against the Portland Trail Blazers with 21 points, five assists, and four rebounds. He primarily plays as a shooting guard, and his strength lies in creating his own shot, driving to the basket, and playing fast in transition. He can also take on some responsibility in running the offense, and with his energy, speed, and engagement on both ends of the floor, he should provide additional depth to Cibona's perimeter. The club has welcomed him to Zagreb and Dražen's home.
