Isaiah

Austin

This is truly awesome news. Austin was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome after his college playing days at Baylor. One of the coolest stories of the NBA draft was when Adam Silver announced Austin as the NBA’s pick in the first round of the 2014 draft. Hopefully Austin can get a chance to play professional ball soon.

Austin, the former Baylor star, received clearance from doctors to resume his basketball career last November and has been bouncing around overseas ever since. He played in Serbia, the Adriatic League and recently signed with the Guangxi Rhinos of the Chinese NBL.

“With the next pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the NBA selects Isaiah Austin from Baylor University,” Silver said. The NBA once again proved it’s the classiest league in the world with this tremendous gesture. Austin was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and it ended his NBA career, but he’ll likely be involved with the NBA in some capacity.

While this story isn’t about Silver at all, he really has completely had a near-perfect first year on the job as commissioner of the NBA. Austin being called to the podium was one of the most memorable moments in recent memory and the NBA will continue to support him.

Genetic testing that is done for the NBA draft revealed that Austin has Marfan syndrome, and sadly this young man’s career will be over before it started. Marfan syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to problems in connective tissues throughout the body. One feature of Marfan syndrome is aortic enlargement, which can be life threatening. The 7'0" big man will finish his Baylor career tied for second on the school’s all-time shot blocking list at 177.