NORFOLK — Three rising seniors, two transfers with multiple years of eligibility and a pair of incoming freshmen make up Old Dominion’s 2025-26 basketball recruiting class, second-year coach Mike Jones announced Tuesday.
Former Norfolk Collegiate and Coastal Carolina star Jordan Battle highlights the group.
A senior guard, Battle will play at his fifth school since leaving Norfolk Collegiate. He’s had stops at Hargrave Military Academy, Utah Valley, Salt Lake Community College and Coastal, where he led the Chanticleers with 12.8 points per game last season. He also led the Sun Belt in 3-point shooting percentage (42.7%) and free throw shooting (80.8%).
“We are so pleased to have such a talented 757 native join us,” Jones said in a statement. “Jordan brings an infectious energy, elite shot-making and an ever-improving playmaking mindset. His experience also is something that will impact us.”
Other signees include: 6-foot-7 freshman swingman Elijah Flowers, from Washington, D.C.; 6-5 freshman guard Zacch Wiggins, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina; 6-8 sophomore swingman Drew McKenna, a Georgetown transfer; 6-8 junior forward Jared Turner, a transfer from Northeastern; 6-5 senior guard KC Shaw, a transfer from Maryland Eastern Shore who scored 30 points at ODU last season; and 6-4 senior guard LJ Thomas, a transfer from Austin Peay.
Jones, a former assistant at Maryland and Virginia Tech after a lengthy stint as head coach at DeMatha Catholic High in Maryland, mined his old stomping grounds for talent and size.
“We are so excited to add to our Monarch basketball family seven guys that will bring a tremendous amount of talent, experience, and versatility,” Jones said.
The 6-2 Battle scored more than 2,800 points in his time at Norfolk Collegiate, earning Tidewater Conference Player of the Year and first-team all-state honors. He also set a single-season school record with 928 points.
“We truly hope that Jordan is an example to the immense talent in the 757 that ODU is a place to thrive and win,” Jones said.
The Monarchs went 15-20 last season in their first year under Jones, a former ODU star. They won three games in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament before falling to third-seeded Troy.
The Monarchs had not won a postseason game since winning the 2019 Conference USA title.
David Hall, [email protected].