Musings on Craig Austrie

[joober jones]

When I think of all of the UConn guys who have gone on to play internationally, it always strikes me as odd that Austrie wasn't among them. He may not have been a star, but plenty of guys with less talent than he had have played internationally at the professional level. Just to name a few, there's Ben Eaves, EJ Harrison, RJ Evans, Boo Willingham, Tyler Olander, Ryan Thompson, Kwasi Gyambibi (I've mentioned him in two posts in one week - that's probably a record), Marcus Johnson, Enosch Wolf, and even Jonathan Mandeldove for a few seasons.

Austrie definitely had the skills to hang with guys of that caliber, so it shocks me that he never tried playing in Europe. It seems like after he was released from the d-league he just decided he was done with playing professionally. I know he runs a basketball skills academy now, but I can't imagine it would make him enough money to live on, given the limited hours in which a school-aged kid would be able to participate.

 

[TerryA88]

Crais is making good money, and more importantly he runs one of the top basketball camps in New England. My son has been going for 3 years and I've seen a HUGE improvement in his game. With the numbers of kids at the camps he runs, combined with the fact he has a location ( Stamford ) locked down ,AND he offers individual sessions ;that's the cherry on everything ..money well spent.

 

[Stinger92860]

Is he coaching?

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

When I think of all of the UConn guys who have gone on to play internationally, it always strikes me as odd that Austrie wasn't among them. He may not have been a star, but plenty of guys with less talent than he had have played internationally at the professional level. Just to name a few, there's Ben Eaves, EJ Harrison, RJ Evans, Boo Willingham, Tyler Olander, Ryan Thompson, Kwasi Gyambibi (I've mentioned him in two posts in one week - that's probably a record), Marcus Johnson, Enosch Wolf, and even Jonathan Mandeldove for a few seasons.

Austrie definitely had the skills to hang with guys of that caliber, so it shocks me that he never tried playing in Europe. It seems like after he was released from the d-league he just decided he was done with playing professionally. I know he runs a basketball skills academy now, but I can't imagine it would make him enough money to live on, given the limited hours in which a school-aged kid would be able to participate.

not everyone wants to play bball Internationally. Austrie has a wife and maybe a kid? Maybe coaching basketball in his hometown area and being around his family is good enough for him

 

[Kembacity]

Good to hear he's successful and doing well. I'm glad he didn't slum it around in the playing overseas, instead he set himself up so he's still doing what he loves presumably, but not playing in sanctioned games.

 

[raf46]

When I think of all of the UConn guys who have gone on to play internationally, it always strikes me as odd that Austrie wasn't among them. He may not have been a star, but plenty of guys with less talent than he had have played internationally at the professional level. Just to name a few, there's Ben Eaves, EJ Harrison, RJ Evans, Boo Willingham, Tyler Olander, Ryan Thompson, Kwasi Gyambibi (I've mentioned him in two posts in one week - that's probably a record), Marcus Johnson, Enosch Wolf, and even Jonathan Mandeldove for a few seasons.

Austrie definitely had the skills to hang with guys of that caliber, so it shocks me that he never tried playing in Europe. It seems like after he was released from the d-league he just decided he was done with playing professionally. I know he runs a basketball skills academy now, but I can't imagine it would make him enough money to live on, given the limited hours in which a school-aged kid would be able to participate.

Good to read nice things about him. He was not flashy,just a great clutch player. Maybe that was why he never caught on with the play for pay leagues. They love the flashy.

 

[joober jones]

I'm glad to hear his company is doing well. I really didn't know much about it other than that it existed, so I didn't realize it was this successful. He always kind of seemed like a natural instructor/coach type of guy what with his ability to calm other players down and always step up and fill any void when needed.

 

[UConn Dan]

not everyone wants to play bball Internationally. Austrie has a wife and maybe a kid? Maybe coaching basketball in his hometown area and being around his family is good enough for him

I ran into Craig and his wife and their kid at the Beardsley zoo about 2-3 months ago. He still looked in great shape and was sporting some sharp UConn (new logo) gear.

 

[Dogdeacon]

When I think of all of the UConn guys who have gone on to play internationally, it always strikes me as odd that Austrie wasn't among them. He may not have been a star, but plenty of guys with less talent than he had have played internationally at the professional level. Just to name a few, there's Ben Eaves, EJ Harrison, RJ Evans, Boo Willingham, Tyler Olander, Ryan Thompson, Kwasi Gyambibi (I've mentioned him in two posts in one week - that's probably a record), Marcus Johnson, Enosch Wolf, and even Jonathan Mandeldove for a few seasons.

Austrie definitely had the skills to hang with guys of that caliber, so it shocks me that he never tried playing in Europe. It seems like after he was released from the d-league he just decided he was done with playing professionally. I know he runs a basketball skills academy now, but I can't imagine it would make him enough money to live on, given the limited hours in which a school-aged kid would be able to participate.

Any list of former Huskies playing internationally must include Dan Cyrulik. I am certain he's among the top centers in the rich history of Czechoslovakian basketball.

Top 6 in scoring and 2nd in rebounding!
http://www.wsucougars.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208184965

 

[James]

 

[UofCT]

Craig does great work in Stamford and most of Fairfield County. Having said that, if I were him I would try and take over Trinity Catholic or some other FCIAC program. I think he would insanely successful while working his way up the coaching ladder to D1 eventually. He can still do all the camps/clinics/lessons/workouts on the side...