There was no problem picking out the person I was to interview on this crisp autumn afternoon.

First and foremost, Kenny Battle’s height – six-foot-six according to official records – made him a standout in this restaurant bustling with plenty of medium-size guys and gals. What really drew my eye to the tall man in sunglasses, however, was the diamond-studded basketball and hoop pendant that hung from a thick chain around his neck.

It was a striking piece of jewelry, to be sure. But if anyone can pull off such a statement piece it would be Battle, a legendary athlete at West Aurora High School and the University of Illinois who is the one and only Auroran to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.

“This is my love for basketball,” he says, caressing the unique silver neckpiece

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