Jalen Battles explains how he managed to take away Dave Van Horn's jersey number

Prior to their game against Ole Miss, Arkansas star Jalen Battles explained how he got the jersey number of longtime coach Dave Van Horn. Van Horn has worn the No. 2 jersey his entire career with Arkansas as a player and a coach both for 24 seasons, but for his 25th season with the Razorbacks he is wearing the No. 21 jersey after a promise made to Battles.

Jalen Battles wearing Dave Van Horn’s jersey number

“I grew up idolizing Derek Jeter, I’ve been No. 2 since I started playing baseball,” explained Battles to ESPN. “It was more of just a joke at first. It’s like ‘Coach, you gonna’ give up No. 2?’ Towards the end of last year, I asked him ‘are you gonna’ give up 2 next year?’

Eventually, Battles’ constant pressure got through to his coach — as Van Horn made a promise he didn’t expect to have to keep.

“If you come back, I will,” said Van Horn to Battles.

“But that’s just a plus for me,” continued Battles. “Of course I wanted to come back and be a part of Omaha and potentially win a national championship.”

Van Horn explained his side of the story to ESPN, explaining how he never expected the senior shortstop to come back for this season.

“I thought he was getting drafted early, there was no way he was coming back,” said Van Horn via ESPN’s Kris Budden.

Now in his 25th season with the Razorbacks as a player, coach and graduate assistant — Van Horn has his team playing in their seventh College World Series in 20 seasons.

“Then I talked to his dad the night before the draft and I started thinking, ‘He might come back,’” Van Horn said back in October. “Then he happened to forward me another text about his uniform and I say, ‘It’s all yours if you come back.’

“Sure enough he’s wearing No. 2 and I’ll be wearing whatever number is available.”