Sad news about Isaiah Austin
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Isaiah Austin’s NBA career is over before it began
I know he’s not a Jayhawk, but he was a classy competitor.
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Sad news indeed. He overcame quite a bit and I am surprised it was not discovered earlier, particularly after the detached retina which seem to be a common occurrence for those with the condition and his physical development which also appears to be a tell-tale sign. Hopefully he can continue doing what he loves, maybe as a coach.
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I’m routing for the guy! Hopefully he has a long and fruitful life.
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Darn, He has overcome a lot and I was a fan. Good to see Baylor welcomes him back as a student and coach. That is the right way to handle something like this. Baylor just went up a notch in my mind. Best of luck Austin.
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Very sad. He had already overcome so much. I wish him all the best to finding a new path with his life.
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@JayHawkFanToo I, too, wonder why something like this wasn’t caught or diagnosed. It’s very sad in final analysis not only because the kid doesn’t get to play, but also because of the timing – getting close to something he had worked for his entire life. But on the bright side, if it was caught three years ago, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten to play CBB?
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If it is true, indeed, that Baylor is offering to bring him back to the program in a nonplaying capacity, kudos to Drew and the University for their goodwill. Maybe my first positive thoughts toward Baylor Basketball since Drew pulled his troops to the hallway during Allen FieldHouse pre-game video a few years ago.
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@REHawk Well said. Of course I shall remain cynical as this is an easy opportunity for Drew to build some feel-good respectability (so I’m on guard…).
But regarding Isaiah Austin, my heart truly goes out to him, wishing him the best in all things. If he turns to coaching…who knows, maybe he will enhance the Baylor coaching staff with his inspirational presence, as well as his knowledge of opposing BigXII teams. He could be an asset to Scot Drew.
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@REHawk …and maybe a Cliff Notes explanation on that whole scene when “Drew pulled his troops to the hallway during the AFH pregame video”: It seems (to me) to be a tail-between-legs-&-run type of move. It seems (to me) to be the opposite of Bill Self, who will never admit fear of anybody. To actually think to do–then actually do something so “soft” as to go hide in the tunnel, just speaks volumes. Maybe Drew didnt think it was a bad-looking move…but the fact remains that NO other coach in decades had ever pulled such a move in AFH. The whole world saw it.
All I know is Bill Self or Roy Williams or Tom Izzo would never do such a thing. I dont think ex-USArmy Mike Kryzyewski would do something like that either. People can holler at their troops over the noise of a hostile road environment every week of every season in Div.1. Not an excuse.
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@dylans I like your post. Austin definitely a class guy, and definitely one of the most interesting stories from Baylor Bears territory…I, too, shall hope he has a successful life.
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@ralster I’m thinking he could sure work for fox sports or espn, after he gets a degree. He’s certainly deserving of some bountiful blessings! I would love to hear him do some big 12 games.
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I knew a guy with Marfan Syndrome (he died at age 50). I commented in one forum or another last year that I wondered if Austin had it (arm shape, sunken chest, not very physical). He’s been one of my favorite non-KU players the past couple years, but I find it a bit hard to believe he hadn’t been diagnosed already. Maybe he knew, or maybe not, but he obviously didn’t realize it would be a deal-breaker with the NBA.
Sucks.
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@DanR can’t believe he knew, not only a deal breaker, but a life-breaker! You are right, it does suck!
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Former Baylor Bears center Isaiah Austin, who saw his dreams of playing in the NBA abruptly come to a halt this week, has an insurance policy worth at least $1 million, his agent, Dwon Clifton, confirmed to ESPN.com.
“We will get through this week, and then we’ll file the claim and get the ball rolling,” Clifton said.
The 7-foot-1 Austin took out the insurance policy through the NCAA’s elite athlete insurance program. A college basketball player typically pays about $5,000 per million, an insurance industry source said, and an athlete can collect the amount he is insured for only if he has a total disability that ends his career.
A pre-draft physical found that Austin has Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder in which those who have it are discouraged from taking part in strenuous exercise to avoid overtaxing the heart.
Insurance policies that cover career-ending situations usually include a 12-month wait period as the insurer sees whether the athlete can make an attempt to recover. But Austin’s case should be resolved sooner, since there’s little debate over his diagnosis and doctors’ recommendations.
Clifton said the policy would not have paid out if Austin’s career ended due to his eyesight or his shoulder.
Austin has a prosthetic right eye and had surgery on his shoulder heading into his sophomore season this past fall.
Assuming Austin qualifies, and it is expected he should, he will not have to pay taxes on his insurance payout.
Austin was projected to be a mid- to late second-round pick in Thursday’s draft.
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And a life-saver as well…
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I knew about the eye, but not the shoulder. With the bad news he’s dealing with nice to see him get a break.
