Like the 60 players selected in Thursday’s night NBA Draft, Isaiah Austin will never forget his evening at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The 7-foot-1 former Baylor star isn’t looking ahead to a professional career, but it was a memorable night nevertheless.
Before the Bulls picked at No. 16, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that Austin — a projected first-round pick before he recently was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissue — was selected by the league.
“Like the other young men here tonight, Isaiah committed himself to endless hard work and dedication to a potential career as a professional basketball player,” Silver said from the podium at Barclays Center. “And we wanted to make sure he fulfilled at least this part of his dream.”
The big man from Fresno, Calif., bowed his head, took a deep breath and walked up to the stage. Up there, he wiped away tears, gave Silver a hug and put on a blue NBA hat as the crowd chanted his name.
“I have so much respect for him and the NBA,” said Austin, who averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks this year despite being blind in his right eye, an injury he sustained in middle school.
Earlier in the week, Silver called Austin’s agent, Dwon Clifton, to extend an invitation, a thrilling moment in what has been a difficult time.
“It was just joy,” Austin said. “I forgot about the syndrome for a while. I just couldn’t stop thinking of, I’m going to New York, I’m going to New York for the NBA Draft. It’s always been my dream to go to New York. I’m here today, and I’m blessed, and thankful.”
On Sunday, Austin received the devastating news he would have to end his career or risk his life ending at any moment. When he got the news, Austin said he held back tears, only because his little brother and sister were with him.
An EKG test performed at the NBA predraft camp in Chicago indicated that some of the arteries in Austin’s heart were enlarged. A subsequent MRI exam was inconclusive, so doctors took blood samples from Austin for genetic testing, and discovered he had the disorder.
Austin said he plans to return to school, get his degree in business and live the normal life of a 20-year-old. He would like to get into coaching.
“These past couple of days have really taught me a lot about myself,” he said. “They’ve really shown me that no matter what obstacle you’re thrown in life, there’s always a way around it, or there’s a way through it. There’s no reason somebody should hang their head or not have confidence in themselves in doing something.“So for the rest of my life, I’m going to keep a positive attitude, and I’m not going to take anything for granted because it can be ripped away from you in seconds.”