Got curious about Isaiah Austin today after seeing an old NBA draft highlight. Everyone said his story was wild. So I dug in, step by step.
First thing? Pulled up YouTube. Typed “Isaiah Austin Marfan syndrome” into the search bar. Bunch of videos popped up – interviews, news clips, that feel-good moment from the draft. Watched a couple. Learned his pro ball dreams just… stopped. Doctors found this serious thing in his body right before the draft. Felt pretty rough hearing that.
Then I hit Google. “Isaiah Austin now.” Scrolled through the results. Articles, mostly a few years old, said he pivoted hard. Didn’t just sit around feeling sorry, you know? Found his official website. Big focus on his foundation. He started something called “The Isaiah Austin Dream Again Foundation.” Strong name.
What He’s Actually Doing These Days
- Running His Foundation: Seems like this is his main jam now. The foundation stuff? It’s everywhere on his site. Helping people with disabilities, especially kids needing prosthetic limbs. Guess that connects to his own story with losing his eye.
- Motivational Speaking: Kept seeing mentions of him talking to groups. Schools, companies, whoever would listen. Sharing his whole journey – the big hope, the crash, and how he got back up. Pretty powerful message, right?
- Writing: Found out he wrote a book! Had to look it up to believe it. Yeah, “Dream Again: How to Triump When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned.” Seems fitting.
- Broadcasting: Some reports mentioned him doing some college basketball commentary? Looks like he dipped his toes back into the game, just from a different angle.
Oh, and that NBA draft moment? They actually drafted him ceremoniously in 2014. Commissioner Silver said his name. That was classy. He signed a “lifetime contract” with the NBA later. Not to play, obviously, but to be an ambassador or something.
Checked his Instagram. Dude looks happy. Fit. Healthy. Pictures with his wife and kid, loads of foundation events, motivational quotes. Doesn’t look like he’s hiding away. Still rocking the glasses too. Seems comfortable in his skin now.
Big takeaway? His life got completely flipped upside down. Basketball dream – gone. Just like that. But he didn’t let it wreck him. He found another path. Making a real difference with that foundation. Uses his own struggles to help others navigate theirs. Hard not to respect that hustle.
Anyway, went down this rabbit hole thinking I’d just find out what job he had now. Came out realizing he basically built a whole new purpose. Takes guts to do that after losing something huge. Kinda stuck with me.
