Marfan syndrome diagnosis
On June 22, 2014, Austin learned that he had been diagnosed with a mild case of Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue, which caused NBA teams to reassess selecting him. In response, NBA commissioner Adam Silver invited Austin to attend the draft as his guest. [6] Shortly after Austin's diagnosis was made public, his agent revealed that Austin had taken out an insurance policy against career-ending disability through a special NCAA program, which was worth at least $1 million. The policy would not have paid out if Austin's career ended due to his eyesight or his shoulder, but was expected to pay out due to his Marfan diagnosis. [7]
On June 26, 2014, between the 15th and 16th picks of the 2014 NBA draft, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made Austin a ceremonial pick, which fulfilled his dream of getting drafted. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked up to the podium. He was offered a job in the NBA by Adam Silver, with the stipulation that he finish his degree at Baylor University. [8] [9]
Return to basketball
On November 30, 2016, Austin was medically cleared to play basketball and began considering offers from overseas. [10] [11] On January 7, 2017, he signed his first professional contract with Serbian club FMP. [12] [13] He made his debut for FMP on January 15, 2017, recording nine points and four rebounds in a 92–85 win over Mornar Bar. [14] In 12 KLS games, he averaged 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He also averaged 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in nine Adriatic League games.
In July 2017, Austin joined Guangxi Rhinos of the Chinese NBL. [15] In 16 games for Guangxi, he averaged 34.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game.
On November 11, 2017, Austin signed with the Yulon Luxgen Dinos of the Super Basketball League. [16] He appeared in three games for Yulon before leaving the team in mid-December.
On January 20, 2018, Austin signed with Champville of the Lebanese Basketball League. [17] He appeared in four games for Champville before leaving the team in February.
In June 2018, Austin re-joined Guangxi Rhinos of the Chinese NBL. [18] In 32 games, he averaged 33.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.
On October 16, 2018, Austin signed with Nanjing Monkey King of the Chinese Basketball Association. [19] In 34 games, he averaged 17.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
On August 18, 2019, Austin signed with Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League. [20] He appeared in four games for Beirut in October 2019.
In December 2019, Austin joined Mets de Guaynabo for their return to the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in 2020. [21] As an expansion team, the Mets were allowed to sign three "import players," or players not native to Puerto Rico. [22] [23] In four games, he averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. On September 30, 2020, Austin signed with Panteras de Aguascalientes of the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional. [24]
In December 2020, Austin joined Al Naser Dubai. He then had a five-game stint in the Dominican Republic with San Carlos in May 2021. [25]
On August 29, 2021, Austin signed with Indios de Mayagüez of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. [26]
