Isaiah Austin

Isaiah Charles Austin (born October 25, 1993) is an American former professional basketball player. He played two years of college basketball for Baylor University and was set to enter the NBA in 2014 until he was diagnosed with a mild form of Marfan syndrome. In 2016, he was cleared to continue playing basketball after a two-year stint away from the game. Between 2017 and 2021, he played professionally overseas.

Isaiah Austin
Austin in 2016
Personal information
Born (1993-10-25) October 25, 1993
Fresno, California, U.S.
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolGrace Preparatory Academy
(Arlington, Texas)
CollegeBaylor (2012–2014)
Playing career2017–2021
PositionCenter
Career history
2017FMP
2017Guangxi Rhino
2017Yulon Luxgen Dinos
2018Champville SC
2018Guangxi Rhino
2018–2019Nanjing Monkey King
2019Beirut Club
2020Mets de Guaynabo
2020Panteras de Aguascalientes
2020–2021Al Naser Dubai
2021San Carlos
2021Indios de Mayagüez
Career highlights and awards

High school career

Austin attended Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, Texas. As a senior in 2011–12, he averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks per game, earning back-to-back Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team Player of the Year honors. Austin participated in the 2012 McDonald's All-American Game, 2012 Adidas Nations and the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic. He was named to the ESPNHS All-American Elite second team and was the nation's no. 3 recruit according to ESPN.[1]

College career

As a freshman at Baylor in 2012–13, Austin earned third-team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Rookie Team honors. On April 4, 2013, he recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists and two steals in the NIT championship game in which Baylor defeated Iowa 74–54.[2] In 35 games (all starts), he averaged 13.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 blocks in 29.9 minutes per game.[1][3]

In April 2013, Austin declared for the 2013 NBA draft, but later returned to Baylor due to a shoulder injury.[4]

As a sophomore in 2013–14, Austin earned Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors. In 38 games, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game.[3]

On April 22, 2014, Austin declared for the 2014 NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.[5]

Professional career

Marfan syndrome diagnosis

On June 22, 2014, Austin learned that he had been diagnosed with a mild case of Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue, which caused NBA teams to reassess selecting him. In response, NBA commissioner Adam Silver invited Austin to attend the draft as his guest.[6] Shortly after Austin's diagnosis was made public, his agent revealed that Austin had taken out an insurance policy against career-ending disability through a special NCAA program, which was worth at least $1 million. The policy would not have paid out if Austin's career ended due to his eyesight or his shoulder, but was expected to pay out due to his Marfan diagnosis.[7]

On June 26, 2014, between the 15th and 16th picks of the 2014 NBA draft, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made Austin a ceremonial pick, which fulfilled his dream of getting drafted. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked up to the podium. He was offered a job in the NBA by Adam Silver, with the stipulation that he finish his degree at Baylor University.[8][9]

Return to basketball

On November 30, 2016, Austin was medically cleared to play basketball and began considering offers from overseas.[10][11] On January 7, 2017, he signed his first professional contract with Serbian club FMP.[12][13] He made his debut for FMP on January 15, 2017, recording nine points and four rebounds in a 92–85 win over Mornar Bar.[14] In 12 KLS games, he averaged 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He also averaged 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in nine Adriatic League games.

In July 2017, Austin joined Guangzhi Weizhuang of the Chinese NBL.[15] In 16 games for Guangxi, he averaged 34.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game.

On November 11, 2017, Austin signed with the Yulon Luxgen Dinos of the Super Basketball League.[16] He appeared in three games for Yulon before leaving the team in mid-December.

On January 20, 2018, Austin signed with Champville of the Lebanese Basketball League.[17] He appeared in four games for Champville before leaving the team in February.

In June 2018, Austin re-joined Guangxi Rhino of the Chinese NBL.[18] In 32 games, he averaged 33.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.

On October 16, 2018, Austin signed with Nanjing Monkey King of the Chinese Basketball Association.[19] In 34 games, he averaged 17.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

On August 18, 2019, Austin signed with Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League.[20] He appeared in four games for Beirut in October 2019.

In December 2019, Austin joined Mets de Guaynabo for their return to the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in 2020.[21] As an expansion team, the Mets were allowed to sign three "import players," or players not native to Puerto Rico.[22][23] In four games, he averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. On September 30, 2020, Austin signed with Panteras de Aguascalientes of the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.[24]

In December 2020, Austin joined Al Naser Dubai. He then had a five-game stint in the Dominican Republic with San Carlos in May 2021.[25]

On August 29, 2021, Austin signed with Indios de Mayagüez of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.[26]

BIG3 career

On June 15, 2021, Austin was selected with the 1st overall pick by Enemies in the 2021 BIG3 draft.[27]

National team career

In September 2017, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas began the process of including Austin in their men's national basketball team, to be considered as a naturalized player in the future.[28][29][30] He suited up as an import for Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas, the national team competing as a club, at the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup. They finished the tournament in fifth place, with Austin recording 37 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and six blocks in their final game of the tournament.[31]

Post-playing career

In September 2021, Austin retired from playing professionally and joined the NBA's front office for the 2021–22 season.[32]

Career statistics

Adriatic League
Season Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17FMPAdriatic League915.6.525.429.6003.20.40.11.29.1

FIBA Asia Champions Cup
Season Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017Chooks-To-Go PilipinasFIBA Asia Champions Cup732.6.553.167.73213.02.40.43.120.0

Personal life

Austin is partially blind in his right eye from a spontaneous retinal detachment that occurred during middle school. He had kept the visual loss a secret, known only to his teammates and close friends until January 17, 2014.[33][34]

On December 16, 2014, Austin was put into 2K Sports' NBA 2K15 as a free agent.[35]

Austin is the nephew of nine-year NBA veteran Isaac Austin.[36]

References
  1. "Isaiah Austin Bio". BaylorBears.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  2. "Pierre Jackson lifts Baylor past Iowa, to first NIT crown". Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  3. Isaiah Austin Stats Archived June 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  4. King, Jason (April 30, 2013). "Injury sways Baylor's Austin to return". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  5. Baylor's Isaiah Austin declares for NBA draft
  6. "Isaiah Austin has Marfan syndrome". ESPN.com. June 22, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  7. Rovell, Darren (June 23, 2014). "Isaiah Austin has $1M 'elite' policy". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  8. Fitzgerald, Matt (July 22, 2014). "Isaiah Austin Offered Job with NBA After Health Condition Ended Career". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  9. NBA makes Austin's dreams come true with gesture at draft
  10. "Former Baylor Big Man Isaiah Austin Cleared to Play Basketball Again". zagsblog.com. November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  11. "Exclusive interview with Isaiah Austin – finally cleared to play basketball!". cassyathena.com. November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  12. "Isaiah Austin signs pro contract with Serbia's FMP Belgrade". ESPN.com. January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  13. "Isaiah Austin signs first pro contract with KK Crvena Zvezda affiliate team FMP". Sportando.com. January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  14. "FMP vs Mornar – Full Statistics". aba-liga.com. January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  15. "Isaiah Austin will play in China with Guangxi Rhinos". Sportando.com. July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  16. "Isaiah Austin inks with Yulon". Sportando.com. November 11, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  17. "Isaiah Austin signs with Champville". Sportando.com. January 20, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  18. "Isaiah Austin agreed to return to Guangxi for Chinese NBL season". sportando.basketball. March 22, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  19. Lupo, Nicola (October 16, 2018). "Isaiah Austin signs with Nanjing Tongxi Monkey King". Sportando. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  20. "Beirut Club announces Isaiah Austin". Sportando. August 18, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  21. "ISAIAH AUSTIN Y RAFAEL "CHAMO" PÉREZ, NUEVAS PIEZAS PARA METS DE GUAYNABO". canchalatina.com (in Spanish). December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  22. Loza, Jorge Figueroa (December 29, 2019). "Metta World Peace reveals link with the Guaynabo Mets". Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  23. Rivera, Joel Ortiz (December 30, 2019). "Activos los Mets de Guaynabo". Primera Hora. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  24. "Aguascalientes ink Isaiah Austin". Latinbasket. September 30, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  25. "Isaiah Austin". usbasket. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  26. "Indios de Mayaguez lands Isaiah Austin". Sportando. August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  27. "BIG3 SuperDraft 2021 Results: Full Team Rosters for Basketball League". Bleacher Report.
  28. Li, Matthew (September 10, 2017). "Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas taps Isaiah Austin as import, eyed as naturalized player candidate". TieBreakerTimes.com. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  29. Leongson, Randolph B. (September 10, 2017). "Gilas taps Austin, Akhuetie for Fiba Asia Champions Cup". Inquirer.net. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  30. Taningco, Brad (September 11, 2017). "Isaiah Austin being considered to be naturalized to play for Philippines' national team". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  31. Lintag, Paul (September 30, 2017). "Austin's monster game hands 5th place to Chooks-Pilipinas". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  32. "NBA's Isaiah Austin Lands League Role, Was Ruled Ineligible To Play In 2014". tmz.com. September 24, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  33. Zucker, Joseph (January 18, 2014). "Isaiah Austin's Comeback Makes Him One of Most Compelling Players in Country". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  34. "No Excuses". vimeo.com. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  35. You can now play as Isaiah Austin in NBA 2K15
  36. Baylor 7-Footer Has NBA Dream Ended by Rare Genetic Condition
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