Ex-Baylor center Austin joins FAU coaching staff

Apr 19, 2024, 04:34 PM ET BOCA RATON, Fla.– Isaiah Austin never wanted to become a coach. And now, he sees it as his calling.The previous Baylor

center– whose plans to play in the NBA were thwarted when he was identified in 2014 with Marfan syndrome– was presented Friday as an assistant coach on new coach John Jakus’ personnel at Florida Atlantic.It’s the very first genuine training chance for the 7-foot-1 Austin, who invested the last couple of years working for the NBA, not playing in the league. He has a long relationship with Jakus from his Baylor days and couldn’t state no when he was invited to join this staff.Editor’s Picks

1 Associated”I have a passion for giving and not receiving,” Austin said. “And this will give me an opportunity to give back to the game what it’s provided to me. It’s type of like a silver lining for my life today.”

Austin is the third assistant to be hired by FAU to deal with Jakus. The head coach was worked with last month to change Dusty Might– who left the Owls after 6 years for Michigan. Todd Abernethy was kept and is back for a sixth season, and Jordan Cost was employed previously today. Fee went 32-3 this season at Gannon and go back to South Florida after a seven-season perform at Division II power Nova Southeastern, situated a few miles south of FAU.Like Austin, Fee said Jakus made the offer impossible to decline.”Coach Jakus is among the

finest people I know, in addition to being an extraordinary basketball coach,”Fee said.And in turn, Jakus feels

the exact same method about Austin, who has a history of conquering challenges. He played college ball in spite of being blind in his ideal eye– a dunk as a middle schooler injured that eye, and several operations couldn’t fix the separated retina and conserve his vision. He ultimately went back to the court after the Marfan medical diagnosis kept him from being drafted by an NBA team.NBA commissioner Adam Silver prepared Austin himself to work for the league.

Austin– who was cleared to play once again in 2016– really took him up on that after he retired from playing globally. He still does play in Ice Cube’s Big3 league and plans to continue this year.”It was an honor for me to be with him as a player when I was on staff at Baylor,” Jakus said.”He was every bit a lottery choice, however for health factors, it didn’t work out. Through that process, he became more than a player for me. One of the most crucial people in my profession. He spent the last few years working with Adam Silver and the NBA. It is a complete honor for him to join our staff.”Austin is still in playing shape, which might can be found in convenient if any Owls wish to attempt their abilities versus a guy who need to have been in the NBA making millions. He’s not bitter about how things ended up, stating he has actually depended on his faith and his better half and household to survive rough times.Jakus played a big function because as well, Austin stated. “He’s just been a guy who’s constantly been there for me, “Austin said.” Highs and lows. It doesn’t matter. It’s not basketball.

He appreciates me as a human and as a guy

. He constantly motivates me to be a great spouse, to be an excellent father, be a great buddy, a terrific kid. So, it was an emotional day when he called me to ask me to come join him out here.”