Isaiah Austin has been cleared to return to basketball
Former Baylor center Isaiah Austin has announced that he’s been cleared to return to basketball.
The 7-1 shot blocker was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome during a physical at the 2014 NBA draft combine.
It was believed that his career was over before it ever had the chance to start.
For those not familiar, here is Marfan syndrome definition by the Mayo Clinic:
“Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue — the fibers that support and anchor your organs and other structures in your body. Marfan syndrome most commonly affects the heart, eyes, blood vessels and skeleton.
People with Marfan syndrome are usually tall and thin with disproportionately long arms, legs, fingers and toes. The damage caused by Marfan syndrome can be mild or severe. If your aorta — the large blood vessel that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body — is affected, the condition can become life-threatening.”
Roughly 1 in 5,000 people suffer from the syndrome.
Austin never gave up his dream. He’s been receiving regular checkups since the 2014 NBA Draft and recently he received the news he could return to the sport he loved.
“Ever since the draft, I’ve been getting checked by my doctor; and through those checkups, we’ve been monitoring my heart, making sure that nothing has changed, and he said that I am stable,” Austin said on Instagram.
Austin was projected to be picked somewhere from 20-35 in the 14′ draft.
“I am cleared. I am about to be out here pursuing my dream. Ever since my doctors told me that I was cleared, it’s been in my mind: I want to go chase this. It’s always been my dream. At the same time, I’m a God-fearing man, and I believe that everything happens in life for a reason. So why would God put it in my doctor’s heart to say that I was cleared if he didn’t want me to go and chase my dream and share my testimony with millions of people around the world.”
The NBA embraced Austin following the diagnosis. NBA commissioner Adam Silver invited Austin to the draft and made him a ceremonial pick during the event.
Fighting through physical adversity is nothing new for Austin, who was born blind in his right eye.
During his two seasons at Baylor, Austin averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 2.4 blocks in 28.9 minutes a game. An intriguing player, due to his combination of shot blocking and shooting, Austin connected on 33% of his three-point attempts in 12′-13′.
Now he prepares himself for his second shot at the NBA.
