Isaiah Austin 'selected' by NBA, fulfills his dream after being diagnosed with career-ending genetic disorder
Baylor center Isaiah Austin waves to the crowd after being granted ceremonial first round pick during the 2014 NBA draft on Thursday, June 26, 2014. Austin, who was projected to be a first round selection was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome just four days before the draft. Credit: AP / Kathy Willens
Chants of "I-sai-ah," calling in unison for Baylor center Isaiah Austin, filled Barclays Center at Thursday night's draft. It was a dream the NBA hopeful never thought he would live.
Austin was diagnosed with a career-ending genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome during pre-draft testing. Continuing to play competitive basketball could prove deadly because of aortic enlargement.
Between the 15th and 16th picks, the NBA "selected" Austin and offered him a job somewhere within the league.
"It's my love and it's my passion," Austin said of basketball. "I just can't thank God enough for my family and my friends [who] are backing me up with this."
-- PETER CAPPIELLO
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