Chicago Chapter President: Kenny Battle
In 1984, Kenny Battle led Aurora West High School to third place in the Illinois High School Association Class AA state basketball tournament. Battle led the tournament with 86 points in four games for third-place finisher Aurora West.
In 2007, the Illinois High School Association named Battle one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament.
Battle played collegiately at Northern Illinois University from 1984 to 1986 before transferring to the University of Illinois. He was known as "King of the 360s" while playing at Northern Illinois. He was the captain of the 1989 Illinois team nicknamed the Flyin' Illini. The team reached the Final Four before being topped by Michigan. Battle was a fan favorite due to his hustle and spectacular slam dunks. The Illini awards the Kenny Battle Inspirational Award to the player who shows the most hustle during the season.
Battle was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round (27th overall) of the 1989 NBA draft and then traded on draft day to the Phoenix Suns along with Micheal Williams in exchange for the Suns' first round draft choice (24th overall pick), Anthony Cook. Battle played in 4 NBA seasons for the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. His best year as a pro came during the 1991-92 NBA season when he split time with the Suns and Nuggets, appearing in 56 games and averaging 6.1 ppg. However, Battle's best game as a pro came on November 10, 1990, when he scored 23 points on 8/14 shooting in a Suns 173 – 143 victory over the Nuggets. Prior to that, he competed in the 1990 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he finished in last place (8th).
Battle won a Continental Basketball Association (CBA) championship with the La Crosse Catbirds in 1992.
Battle currently resides in his hometown of Aurora, Illinois and became the NBRPA Chicago Chapter President in 2025.
Recent Chicago Chapter Events
NBA Draft Combine Players Party
The NBRPA hosted its annual NBA Draft Combine Party on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the VU Rooftop in Chicago, bringing together former players, coaches, league & team execs, and partners for an exclusive Players Party during the NBA Draft Combine.
Full Court Press
NBRPA Chicago Legends teamed up to bring basketball fun and life skills lessons to youth from ABC Pilsen Athletics on May 4, 2024 at Foot Locker Chicago on State Street. Led by Alando Tucker, Bobby Simmons, Justin Williams, Lenae Fergerson, Jermaine “Hi Rise” Brown, and NBA Drill Clinician Frank Lopez, local youth participated in a wide array of basketball instruction including proper passing and shooting techniques, defensive drills and the value of teamwork. Additionally, the youth were treated to in-depth conversations with NBRPA Legends on the importance of respect, mentorship, and leadership.