Isaiah Austin Career ending Illness

[Future Celtics Owner]

We worked Austin out for pre draft. To say that he was not in the realm of becoming a celtic is wrong. Could you imagine if we had drafted him in the late first round and this went undetected. Not knowing how ill he was he would have kept working out and possibly died before the season. The Celtics fans have been through too much to go through something like that again.

[CM0]

Such sad news. His story was inspirational and he seems like a great kid. I was really hoping the Celtics drafted him, now I hope he grows even further as a person and can maintain his health-long term and find meaning in this ordeal.

[Neurotic Guy]

It's fantastic that they caught it and that there are ways to prevent tragic consequences. This is a good thing that I am sure he'll come to grips with as soon as the initial disappointment and fear subside. More fortunate than many to have access to good medical care and a college scholarship. Sounds like he's been thru a lot already in his life and has a good head on his shoulders. Lots out there that is more valuable and more important than an NBA contract.

[pokeKingCurtis]

Sucks. Real tear jerker.

But maybe a silver lining...he still gets to be involved in basketball, as a coach.

Sometimes when one door closes, another one opens.

[BigAlTheFuture]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11119441

His recent interview. Tough to watch

[cltc5]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/genetic-disorder-ends-the-career-of-nba-prospect-isaiah-austin-181730781.html

pretty sad

[GreenWarrior]

this kid is the reason why I don't give these athletes that go out and do something like what mike vick did a 2nd chance.

[Fafnir]

this kid is the reason why I don't give these athletes that go out and do something like what mike vick did a 2nd chance.

Wait what?

That's a serious non-sequitor.

[Fafnir]

He went from being a late lottery pick last year to a 2nd rounder this year to no career.

Yep. Another example of why players shouldn't stay in college if they have a good shot at being drafted in the 1st round. He lost a lot of money.

Would this have been caught in pre-draft physicals last year (or the year before), though? It's a good point to file away, though. This could be an example of someone who would have been paid millions coming out of high school and will instead walk away with nothing.

Baylor better at least honor his scholarship. Study hard, Mr. Austin, and good luck =(

Probably not. They don't do genetic testing on players for pre-draft physicals, and the Celtics were lucky they caught Green's aorta condition at all and they have all the medical access they could want to him. These things are tough to suspect.

In a different perspective, he is actually very lucky they caught this when they did and he didn't suffer a major or fatal incident before it was detected.

My bad, it looks like they actually do genetic testing on pre-draft physicals, which I find surprising considering how potentially valuable that genetic info is to scientific researchers and health insurance companies, and how potentially compromising it is to the individual rights of the players.

I doubt they're doing more than testing for specific markers that have health related consequences for a professional athletes like Marfans.

Also just getting tested doesn't mean the NBA/the teams have unlimited rights with the data.

[GreenWarrior]

this kid is the reason why I don't give these athletes that go out and do something like what mike vick did a 2nd chance.

Wait what?

That's a serious non-sequitor.

because guys like vick take what they have for granted. or these idiots that continuously get busted for doing drugs - they take it for granted.

professional athletes have likely dedicated 10 - 15 yrs. of their life with the dream or thought of going pro. they shouldn't get a 2nd chance, they had that chance during that 10 - 15 yrs. to realize they only get 1 chance.

then you have this kid Austin that would probably give any chance he could to keep playing and you have these fools just throwing it away and taking it for granted.

[Fafnir]

this kid is the reason why I don't give these athletes that go out and do something like what mike vick did a 2nd chance.

Wait what?

That's a serious non-sequitor.

because guys like vick take what they have for granted. or these idiots that continuously get busted for doing drugs - they take it for granted.

professional athletes have likely dedicated 10 - 15 yrs. of their life with the dream or thought of going pro. they shouldn't get a 2nd chance, they had that chance during that 10 - 15 yrs. to realize they only get 1 chance.

then you have this kid Austin that would probably give any chance he could to keep playing and you have these fools just throwing it away and taking it for granted.

So because some athletes physically have their dreams taken away from them we shouldn't give anyone second chances when they morally/legally screw up?

That doesn't make a lick of sense.

Neither does bringing it up, tragic story about Austin and you bring up Vick?

[GreenWarrior]

this kid is the reason why I don't give these athletes that go out and do something like what mike vick did a 2nd chance.

Wait what?

That's a serious non-sequitor.

because guys like vick take what they have for granted. or these idiots that continuously get busted for doing drugs - they take it for granted.

professional athletes have likely dedicated 10 - 15 yrs. of their life with the dream or thought of going pro. they shouldn't get a 2nd chance, they had that chance during that 10 - 15 yrs. to realize they only get 1 chance.

then you have this kid Austin that would probably give any chance he could to keep playing and you have these fools just throwing it away and taking it for granted.

So because some athletes physically have their dreams taken away from them we shouldn't give anyone second chances when they morally/legally screw up?

That doesn't make a lick of sense.

Neither does bringing it up, tragic story about Austin and you bring up Vick?

you don't think Austin would trade anything for the opportunity vick had been given just to play and for how long he has?

[Fafnir]

What Austin would "trade" to keep playing isn't relevant to whether or not Vick should be allowed to play in the league after his felony conviction and jail time.

Its not like because people like Vick get second chances Austin can't play, the two issues have nothing to do with each other.

Austin has a medical condition that doesn't allow him to play, just like 100s of other potentially elite athletes blow out their knees and never make it either. Its tragic when its so close to the draft, but the same circumstances happen all the time.

The universe isn't just when it comes to who gets athletic ability and athletic opportunity.

[GreenWarrior]

did my post get deleted? not sure what happened as I did post a response? I forgot what I typed though.

anyway, i'm not going to bicker about this. I do realize I believe things differently than others. i'm perfectly ok with that.

I just don't think it's fair this kid has no choice when a guy like vick did...and got a 2nd chance on top of it. it's sad is what it is.

i'm not blaming anyone or saying the 2 have anything to do with each other.

[Fafnir]

did my post get deleted? not sure what happened as I did post a response? I forgot what I typed though.

You typed it inside a nested quote box, I moved it out for you.

anyway, i'm not going to bicker about this. I do realize I believe things differently than others. i'm perfectly ok with that.

I just don't think it's fair this kid has no choice when a guy like vick did...and got a 2nd chance on top of it. it's sad is what it is.

i'm not blaming anyone or saying the 2 have anything to do with each other.

Indeed it isn't fair, but life isn't ever fair. I'm glad you realize they aren't related.