Isaiah Austin Has Returned to the NBA in a New Role

By Tadi Abedje Published: November 30, 2021

Isaiah Austin Has Returned to the NBA in a New Role

Baylor center Isaiah Austin, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being granted ceremonial first round pick during the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York. Austin, who was projected to be a first round selection was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome just four days before the draft. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

In Summary

The 7-foot-1-inch center was ruled medically ineligible for the 2014 NBA Draft because he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

Isaiah Austin had been projected to be a first-round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft after coming off a stellar season for Baylor University, leading them to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. Then on June 21, 2014, just five days before having his name heard from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, his life would change forever.

His mother, Lisa Green, told him that he was medically ineligible to play in the NBA, according to NBC News. Austin had been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, which “is a rare genetic disorder of the connective tissue, affecting the skeleton, lungs, eyes, heart and blood vessels,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

However, he is taking on a new position in the NBA as he started a one-year fellowship for himself in the league’s player development department, according to NBC News.

“I work closely with the teams and try to help players find their interest points outside of basketball,” said Austin. The 28-year-old believes this position will help him “expand my horizons and show that I am more than just a basketball player and that I’m capable of doing anything I set my mind to,” according to NBC News.

Despite never playing a second on an NBA hardwood floor, Austin was drafted as an honorary player.

“Isaiah committed himself through endless hard work and dedication to a potential career as a professional basketball player, and we wanted to make sure he fulfilled at least this part of his dream,” Adam Silver said in 2014.

Austin’s current role will keep him close to the game of basketball while he figures out his future endeavors.