Jason DeCrow/AP Photo
Isaiah Austin’s Dream May Come True After All
Imagine being days away from the NBA Draft and your dream of making it to the big-leagues is taken away. Two-and-a-half years later, former Baylor center Isaiah Austin is back on the basketball court and ready to take the NBA world by storm.
Austin—who is legally blind in one eye—was projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, but it wasn’t until a pre-draft medical test revealed a problem much more dangerous than being blind. The test revealed Austin has Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues that hold together all of the body’s cells and organs. Doctors feared if Austin were to play professional basketball, or any basketball at all, he would suffer life-threatening issues, such as arteries rupturing inside his body. The league announced Austin could not be eligible for the draft.
Though his dream was not fulfilled, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver invited Isaiah Austin to the NBA Draft and awarded him a ceremonial pick between the 15th and 16th draft selections. Austin was drafted into the league, but only for the honor, not to be a player.
Last night, Isaiah Austin announced to Cassy Athena that he is cleared to play and will attempt to play professional basketball. He made an Instagram post (@isaiahaustin) regarding the exciting news:
“Very excited to announce to everyone that the news is true. I have been blessed by the grace of God to receive a second chance at chasing my dream of playing basketball. Everything happens for a reason and I’m ready to share my testimony and journey with millions of people across the world. #DreamAgain”.
Since the night of the 2014 NBA Draft, he has started the Isaiah Austin Foundation for Marfan syndrome research and awareness and wrote a book. Austin was offered a job in the NBA, but returned to college at Baylor University.
“I’m doing this off of pure joy, man,” Austin said. “Basketball brings me so much joy, and I feel like my testimony will help so many people around the world.”
Congratulations on the great news, Isaiah Austin! The entire NBA is rooting for you!
