Austin relishes second basketball life as part of Gilas

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Isaiah Austin had the sad reality of never realizing his NBA dream after Marfan Syndrome sidelined him for two years.

More than three years after the NBA selected him as an honorary player, Austin gets to wear the Philippine colors as part of Gilas Pilipinas.

And if there’s one thing his sickness taught him, it’s to take every single minute with a renewed passion.

“I wasn’t even supposed to be playing basketball so it’s a second go around for me,” said Austin Thursday at Meralco gym. “It’s a second go-around for me so I take every day very seriously.”

“I know what it’s like to have the game of basketball taken away from you so I’m not taking anything for granted.”

Austin averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 boards, and 2.4 blocks per game in his time with Baylor and these types of numbers was what attracted the likes of Chot Reyes to take notice of the 7-footer.

“Each day is a new day for me to get better somehow, some way.”