George Washington University Athletics
Jamison Battle (left) and Chase Paar (right) signed NLIs to attend GW on Wednesday
Men's Basketball Signs Battle, Paar
11/14/2018 12:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The pair of forwards will join the program for the 2019-20 season
Forward | 6-7Minneapolis, MN
Battle is a two-sport athlete at DeLaSalle High School, lettering in both basketball and football this season. He is a two-time All-Conference selection in hoops and a member of the National Honors Society who intends to major in business or sports management. In his spare time, the multi-talented Battle enjoys playing the baritone saxophone. He's the son of Darcy Goede and Terrell Battle and has a younger sister, Amaya.
Forward | 6-9Mount Airy, MD
After being slowed by a back injury his sophomore season, Paar had a standout junior year in which he earned All MIAA-A Conference honors for Glenelg County School. The honor roll recipient is undecided on a major but plans to pursue a career in the business field. He's the son of Jason and Lisa Paar and has two brothers, Justin and Cole.
When Battle found it, he didn't waste any time seizing his opportunity. At the end of a couple days visiting GW back in September, he made his commitment to the Colonials in head coach Maurice Joseph's office with his parents by his side.
"I feel like it's a great fit," Battle said. "George Washington really checked the box in all three of those categories."
Chase Paar knows the feeling.
It wasn't long after his visit to Foggy Bottom around the same time that the 6-foot-9 forward from Mount Airy, Md., made his pledge to the Colonials.
Paar leaned on some advice from his father in making his pick. Jason Paar had told his son about how his gut told him he was in the right place before he'd made his own commitment to play at Shepherd College in West Virginia three decades ago.
"I had that when I stepped on campus at GW and was talking to the coaches," Paar said. "I think that's when I knew."
Battle and Paar made their commitments official Wednesday, signing National Letters of Intent to attend GW on the first day of the early signing period.
After scouring the country recruiting this class, Joseph and his staff were excited to sign two top targets. Battle, a senior at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, brings a college-ready jumper, length and toughness, while Paar, a senior at nearby Glenelg Country School, has everything the coach wants in a big man with a versatile offensive game and a proven commitment to defense and rebounding.
Joseph believes both have all the attributes he's looking for in a Colonial and bright futures ahead in Buff and Blue.
"In terms of their character, their work ethic, obviously their basketball ability and their academics, those two guys fit the mold," Joseph said. "We want to continue to bring in guys who fit our culture. We talk about determination, commitment and respect, and these guys are examples of that."
Battle caught Joseph's attention last spring playing on the AAU circuit with D1 Minnesota, a squad loaded with prospects headed to Power Five schools. There was one game that still stands out at an event in New York when the 6-foot-7 swingman knocked down three 3-pointers in quick succession to swiftly erase a double-digit deficit.
"His ability to change the game with his shooting ability is uncanny," Joseph said. "He's one of the best pure shooters I've seen at his size on the circuit in a long time."
Joseph compares Battle's offensive skillset to former Colonial Nemanja Mikic for his ability to stretch the floor at his size, but the coach also loves the physical toughness that the new signee brings from the gridiron as a standout wide receiver.
Battle has put in the work to develop that outside marksmanship, and he believes playing alongside so many high-level teammates will give him a leg up on translating it to the college game.
"What really separates me from other shooters, I feel like, is my IQ," said Battle, who averaged 14.5 points per game as a junior at DeLaSalle. "I know when it's a good time to take that shot or make the extra pass to the next guy. I feel like that's huge."
On his visit, Battle decided GW was the best place to continue his development, on and off the court. Touring campus, he was excited thinking about how many connections he could make in the nation's capital looking ahead to a future in business, and a fun evening hanging out with his future teammates playing FIFA and Fortnite cemented his decision.
On Wednesday, Battle made his plans official.
"I just can't wait to get started," Battle said. "I remember when I committed I was like 'I wish it was June already and I could be on campus' because I loved it so much."
At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, Paar has proven himself as a front-court prospect against top competition with Team Thrill on the AAU circuit and Glenelg Country in the always-tough MIAA-A Conference.
After a back injury slowed him during his sophomore season, Paar lost about 30 pounds thanks to an improved diet and running regimen and promptly emerged as a three-star recruit.
Joseph has been impressed by Paar's work ethic and desire to get better. It's rare to find a big man who is also a gym rat, the coach said.
"He's a perfect match for us," Joseph said. "He's a great kid, a great culture guy, and he brings toughness and versatility and size. That was one piece we really wanted to address."
Paar takes pride in his versatility. He's become increasingly comfortable with his outside shot, in addition to his back-to-the-basket game. Since slimming down, he's become more mobile, which has paid dividends on both ends of the floor.
"No matter what," Paar said, "I'm somebody's who's going to come in every game and play hard and give it 100 percent."
After receiving scholarship offers from schools nationwide, Paar found a fit close to home at GW.
He was impressed on his visit by the family atmosphere and the staff's plan for developing his game. Just a few days later, he phoned Joseph with the good news.
This winter, Paar is looking forward to getting to as many games as he can at the Smith Center as he finishes up his prep career. In the meantime, he took the next step toward becoming a Colonial on Wednesday with a signing day ceremony at his high school many years in the making.
"It's a really exciting day," Paar said. "I've worked so hard for this over the years, and it's kind of all coming to fruition. I'm achieving a big goal of mine."
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