Dillon Battie’s path to collegiate basketball started in Dallas without a ball in his hand, but rather at his feet.

The now-6-foot-9, high-flying sophomore forward on Wichita State’s men’s basketball team took more shots at nets on a grass pitch than on a hardwood court growing up. But as time passed, basketball became more attractive than soccer — fitting for someone whose father once made an NCAA Elite Eight at Temple and uncle was a fifth-overall NBA Draft pick.

On TV, LeBron James’ raw talent jumped out. Jimmy Butler’s control on attack became the acme. Battie no longer wanted to chase the upper 90 but rather chase down blocks and rattle rims like his idols. 

“As I got older, I started watching LeBron. I loved his athleticism,” Battie said after scoring a season-high 13 points, dishing three assists, coaxing two steals and a block during the Shockers’ physical 74-59 win against Memphis on Saturday in Koch Arena.

“Then I started watching a little Jimmy Butler. I watched how he played off of two feet, and how he’s able to get to the basket.”

In a game that honors toughness, Battie channeled his inspirations to reap the rewards. He dove for loose balls and clambered for eight rebounds against a Tigers team that went down 22-8 early in the game and never got back within 11.

Battie helped keep a crowd of 6,226 stay warm and buzzing despite the freezing conditions beyond the Roundhouse’s walls.

After a challenge midway through the first half, coach Paul Mills drew up a play to exploit a zone look Memphis threw at them on a baseline out-of-bounds play. Unnoticed at the top of the 3-point arc, Battie slipped past three defenders and shook the rim on a pocket pass from guard Mike Gray Jr.

Two Tigers simultaneously threw their hands up in frustration while WSU fans threw up theirs to raise the roof.

“We haven’t been able to utilize that particular play on account of, when people zone up, they play somebody over the ball,” Mills said. “This was a play that we’ve had. We’ve had to remind him of it. … I’m glad it worked out for DB.”

Later, as the shot clock wound down midway through the second half, Battie grabbed an offensive rebound and looked, of all things, to pass it.

Gray subtly motioned for him to shoot, which was all the confidence he needed. Battie turned, fired and drilled a 3-pointer all in a second.

“I was like, ‘Oh, this is a good shot,’” Battie said when it ripped the net, 57-40.

But of all ‌the highlights Battie made, the selfless passes impressed Mills the most. Multiple times he attacked his defender and drew another before gaining control off two feet — like that Butler guy — and finding an open man.

“For him to have three assists, it’s pretty impressive,” Mills said. “Because … Dillon’s not really willing to defer. You saw that with the first shot that he took when they were plugging him hard in the paint.”

That kind of maturity hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially from upperclassmen who have weathered multiple seasons. 

“You love it, man. Seeing him (Battie) in the gym every day, putting in the time,” senior guard Kenyon Giles said. “Have a couple of bad practices, a couple of good ones, but always staying level-headed. I’ve seen him put in the work all the time, so I always knew the work was going to show. And it is.”

“I’m proud of Dillon, just seeing his growth,” senior forward Karon Boyd added. “And then him taking the time in God’s plan. He knows when it’s his time for his number to be called, he’s going to go in, step up and give it his all.

“He comes in and prospers. He’s being very disciplined.”

With his teammates’ trust, a growing book of knowledge and the makeup to jump through the roof, Battie said his next evolution is developing a better perimeter game and fine-tuning the defensive end. 

For now, playing to his strengths — attacking the paint, finishing at the rim, making tough plays — will keep him on the court. So will using the artistry of his icons.