Isaiah Austin

Isaiah Charles Austin, born on October 25, 1993, in Fresno, California, began his highly promising basketball career at Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, Texas. Standing at 7-foot-1, Austin quickly gained recognition for his skills, earning McDonald’s All-American honors in 2012. He then played two years of college basketball for Baylor University from 2012 to 2014, where he consistently demonstrated his talent. During his freshman year (2012-13), Austin was named third-team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Rookie Team. A significant achievement during this period was contributing 15 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists, and two steals in Baylor’s 74–54 victory over Iowa in the 2013 NIT Championship game. In his sophomore year (2013-14), he was noted for his defensive capabilities, earning a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.

Austin declared for the 2014 NBA Draft, but his aspirations to play professionally in the NBA were halted when he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, just days before the draft. This diagnosis made him ineligible to play, but the NBA recognized his journey by making him a ceremonial pick between the 15th and 16th selections of the 2014 draft. Following a two-year hiatus, Austin received medical clearance to resume playing in 2016. He embarked on a diverse international playing career from 2017 to 2021, competing in 11 countries across various leagues, including the Serbian KLS, Chinese NBL, Taiwanese SBL, Lebanese Basketball League, Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico, and Mexico’s Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. In 2021, he was the first overall pick for the Enemies in the BIG3 draft, marking his return to basketball on a prominent stage.

After retiring as a player in September 2021, Austin joined the NBA League Office Fellowship program, working in the Player Development group for 12 months. This marked a career progression into basketball administration. He has since transitioned into coaching, joining the Florida Atlantic Owls men’s basketball team as an assistant coach in 2024. Austin has also expressed a commitment to motivational speaking, sharing his personal story of perseverance. His journey highlights adaptability and a continued dedication to basketball, impacting the sport both on and off the court.