Former Baylor University stalwart Isaiah Austin had his basketball career derailed after being diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. Fortunately, Austin was given a new lease in life when he was cleared to play basketball again and two and a half years from his diagnosis, he now takes his talents to Serbia.
The 7-foot-1 center, who was touted to go in the first round of the 2014 National Basketball Association Draft, signed with FMP Belgrade, USA Today reported. Austin, who announced on Nov. 30, 2016 that he was cleared by doctors to play basketball again, might possibly transfer to FMP Belgrade affiliate Red Star Belgrade, which are the regional champions in Serbia, next season.
In his Facebook post, Austin said that he is grateful to have signed with the Serbian team after being told that this day "would never come." Austin was deemed to not play basketball again after doctors found that he had Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the connectivity of the tissues holding cells and organs, during a physical before the draft.
Austin is also blind in his right eye when an accident in middle school caused a retinal detachment.
During that draft, Austin was still called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as an honorary draft pick by the league and he was given a standing ovation by the audience. He was also offered a job by Silver once he finishes his studies at Baylor. Now, he can use his stint in Serbia to boost his chances of getting to his biggest dream of playing in the NBA.
FMP Belgrade can use the inside presence of Austin who averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game in his two-year stay with the Baylor Bears, ESPN reported. Austin is the only American in his new team and is the only seven-footer.
Watch the video below for Austin's previous highlights: