OT: Former Baylor C Isaiah Austin's career over

[tcf15]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...d-with-marfan-syndrome-basketball-career-over

Former Baylor center Isaiah Austin has been diagnosed with a career-ending medical condition. Genetic testing as part of preparation for the 2014 NBA Draftrevealed that Austin suffers from Marfan syndrome.

"This is devastating news, but Isaiah has the best support system anyone could ask for, and he knows that all of Baylor Nation is behind him," head coach Scott Drew said. "His health is the most important thing, and while it's extremely sad that he won't be able to play in the NBA, our hope is that he'll return to Baylor to complete his degree and serve as a coach in our program."

Marfan syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to problems in connective tissues throughout the body. One feature of Marfan syndrome is aortic enlargement, which can be life-threatening. According to The Marfan Foundation, about one in 5,000 people have Marfan syndrome. For more information, visit www.marfan.org.

A 7-foot-1 center from Arlington, Texas, Austin revealed during his sophomore season that he is blind in his right eye as a result of a detached retina suffered as a teenager. He was expected to be the first to ever play in the NBA while partially blind.

Tear-jerking interview with him: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11119441

 

[Kitaman]

Kid is already a winner in my book. Blind in one eye, playing Div 1 basketball. I watched him play and it was hard to tell.

It may end his basketball career but he appears not to be one that can be told he can't do something. Any other kid I would feel real bad for, but this kid I feel confident he will get through life just fine. As for coaching, he is an inspiration, and can certainly put the entitled superstar wannabes in their place. Any player who plays on the team he coaches won't know what pity means.

 

[UCHuskies08]

Wow crazy what one kid has had to go through, best of luck to him

 

[Mattydog7]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...d-with-marfan-syndrome-basketball-career-over

Former Baylor center Isaiah Austin has been diagnosed with a career-ending medical condition. Genetic testing as part of preparation for the 2014 NBA Draftrevealed that Austin suffers from Marfan syndrome.

"This is devastating news, but Isaiah has the best support system anyone could ask for, and he knows that all of Baylor Nation is behind him," head coach Scott Drew said. "His health is the most important thing, and while it's extremely sad that he won't be able to play in the NBA, our hope is that he'll return to Baylor to complete his degree and serve as a coach in our program."

Marfan syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to problems in connective tissues throughout the body. One feature of Marfan syndrome is aortic enlargement, which can be life-threatening. According to The Marfan Foundation, about one in 5,000 people have Marfan syndrome. For more information, visit www.marfan.org.

A 7-foot-1 center from Arlington, Texas, Austin revealed during his sophomore season that he is blind in his right eye as a result of a detached retina suffered as a teenager. He was expected to be the first to ever play in the NBA while partially blind.

Tear-jerking interview with him: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11119441

What a class act!!

 

[superjohn]

This honestly made me cry, what a good kid and what a sad deal.

 

[huskyharry]

I certainly wish Mr. Austin the best in the future. However, it is not clear to me why a diagnosis of Marfan's syndrome would prevent an NBA career. Ronny Turiaf and Jeff Green both had aortic aneurysms repaired and continued with their respective NBA careers (& from the info in the article it is not clear that Austin has anything wrong with his aorta).

 

[B1GEast]

so sad, wish the kid the best

 

[David 76]

So sad. I wish him great success. On the other hand, this may have saved his life. If he stayed in college it could have been the end.

 

[mauconnfan]

That's plain awful…….hope he somehow gets to stay in the game and be successful while fighting! Sad stuff…..

 

[Fishy]

I certainly wish Mr. Austin the best in the future. However, it is not clear to me why a diagnosis of Marfan's syndrome would prevent an NBA career. Ronny Turiaf and Jeff Green both had aortic aneurysms repaired and continued with their respective NBA careers (& from the info in the article it is not clear that Austin has anything wrong with his aorta).

His aorta and heart valves are at persistent risk and cannot be repaired - an aortic dissection is just one of the worries, but in his case, he's already showing symptoms and seems to be at an increased risk.

Just a terrible thing for the kid - impressive composure during the interview. (Which Rowe handled nicely, as well.)

 

[sammydabiz]

Surprised it hadn't been detected/diagnosed in his past. His stature and body type physically is a shoutout marker for marfans... Def sucks for him, but not surprised.

 

[storrsroars]

Four days away from realizing your dream and poof, no more dream. That's tragic. But the kid sounds like he'll bounce back and be successful doing something else.

I wonder if his condition precludes active coaching.

 

[jazyj]

Wow sometimes life just hits good people really hard. I wish him the best of luck.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Wow crazy what one kid has had to go through, best of luck to him

Its ok though. Its all part of Gods plan. This will teach him something about life that he can pass on to the rest of us.

 

[uconnbill]

Its ok though. Its all part of Gods plan. This will teach him something about life that he can pass on to the rest of us.

Sometimes sarcasm is unwarranted and this is one of those times.

Good luck to Isaiah Austin no matter what he does in the future and God bless him

 

[otp85]

It's really tough to hear about all that he's already overcome and now to have this happen. I don't even want to imagine what he is feeling right now. So close to a dream and to have it taken away like that.

Hopefully he can carve out a coaching career; they say it's hard to teach big men because their aren't enough coaches that no what it's like to be one. Well here you go; someone give this young man a job.

Good luck Mr. Austin

 

[Final4 42]

My sister in law has Marfan Syndrome and was diagnosed early in life and basically was not allowed to play any sports for her entire life because of the risks. Luckily, his case seems to be on a lesser side as the only side effects to this point have been his loss of vision in his eye (which should have been a huge red flag at the time as that is one of the main issues of Marfan's combined with the increased height and skinny frame). Heavy effects include multiple heart problems/surgeries early in life which he has not had to this point.

To be able to overcome what he has to this point without being diagnosed is a huge accomplishment. Hopefully Baylor will allow him to return on scholarship to finish his degree now.

 

[aceboon]

My sister in law has Marfan Syndrome and was diagnosed early in life and basically was not allowed to play any sports for her entire life because of the risks. Luckily, his case seems to be on a lesser side as the only side effects to this point have been his loss of vision in his eye (which should have been a huge red flag at the time as that is one of the main issues of Marfan's combined with the increased height and skinny frame). Heavy effects include multiple heart problems/surgeries early in life which he has not had to this point.

To be able to overcome what he has to this point without being diagnosed is a huge accomplishment. Hopefully Baylor will allow him to return on scholarship to finish his degree now.

the loss of vision was due to him taking a baseball in his eye and damaging his retina

 

[Final4 42]

the loss of vision was due to him taking a baseball in his eye and damaging his retina

That injury "loosend his retina" but it is tough to say how much the injury loosened it compared to his already existing condition. The doctor at the time thought the looseness was not a big problem and that his vision would not be lost but the condition became worse and worse over the years most likely because of the condition, the connective tissue especially in the eyes deteriorates rapidly. When he actually lost his vision the eye surgeon said the tissue was like an 80 year man's eye.

 

[Edward Sargent]

I certainly wish Mr. Austin the best in the future. However, it is not clear to me why a diagnosis of Marfan's syndrome would prevent an NBA career. Ronny Turiaf and Jeff Green both had aortic aneurysms repaired and continued with their respective NBA careers (& from the info in the article it is not clear that Austin has anything wrong with his aorta).

Many with Marfans have major heart disease starting in their twenties
I had a friend die of a heart attack just after starting his dental office

 

[aceboon]

That injury "loosend his retina" but it is tough to say how much the injury loosened it compared to his already existing condition. The doctor at the time thought the looseness was not a big problem and that his vision would not be lost but the condition became worse and worse over the years most likely because of the condition, the connective tissue especially in the eyes deteriorates rapidly. When he actually lost his vision the eye surgeon said the tissue was like an 80 year man's eye.

didn't realize the connection b/w the 2 conditions, thx

 

[intlzncster]

Its ok though. Its all part of Gods plan. This will teach him something about life that he can pass on to the rest of us.

Not religious at all, but there's no need for that. Kid needs something to lean on in a time like this and religion is that for him. Can't fault that at all.

 

[intlzncster]

t being diagnosed is a huge accomplishment. Hopefully Baylor will allow him to return on scholarship to finish his degree now.

It would be really cool if they took him on in the 'graduate assistant' role so that he could finish school, get a masters and coaching experience on top.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Here is the link to the Baylor fan site in case anyone wants to post well wishes to the fan base and Austin. I read several years ago that the creator of this site passed away at a young age. In his 20's I believe.

http://www.baylorfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7

 

[huskiesouth]

It would be really cool if they took him on in the 'graduate assistant' role so that he could finish school, get a masters and coaching experience on top.

This is a chance for a college to step up and do the right thing for a student who helped the school by playing a varsity-level sport - hopefully the school will and this young man can have a full and complete life with a college degree to help him along.