Bears honor Austin on ‘Dream Again’ night

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Waco, Texas ? Wednesday night was “Dream Again” night at the Ferrell Center, as former Baylor University standout Isaiah Austin, now a student assistant for the Bears, was honored at halftime of 12th-ranked Kansas University’s 56-55 victory over No. 21 Baylor with his mother, father, friends and family by his side.

Austin, the once-promising NBA prospect who was dubbed a sure-fire first-round pick last summer saw his dream of playing professional basketball — or basketball at all for that matter — come to an abrupt end when he was diagnosed with the genetic tissue disorder, Marfan syndrome, five days before the draft.

Despite being told he’d never be able to play basketball again, Austin was selected by the NBA between the 15th and 16th picks of the draft and invited to momentarily live out his dream. While the walk across the stage in Brooklyn paled in comparison to suiting up in NBA cities across the country, the feel-good moment inspired Austin to spend the rest of his life doing for others what the NBA did for him.

He currently works as a student assistant for his alma mater and has published a memoir about his life, Dream Again, that will be released this summer.

Honored at halftime on Wednesday by adoring fans and the special night, Austin briefly shared what his time at Baylor meant to him.

“I’m at a loss for words right now,” said the 21-year-old, 7-foot-1 center decked out in a gray suit with a lavender tie. “Months ago, when I heard the news I was heart-broken. I was lost. I didn’t know where I was gonna turn. But as I look to my right and I see these people right here and I look around the gym and see all of you people here tonight, it brings tears to my eyes and I want to do everything I can to touch and inspire lives around the world.”

The teary-eyed Austin was not the only one overcome with emotion on Wednesday. Austin’s mother, Lisa Green, and several members of the crowd flashed smiles as tears ran down their faces during the ceremony.

“I can’t tell you how good it feels to be out here on the court at the Ferrell Center,” Austin’s mother said. “There’s not enough words to express the gratitude we feel toward Baylor for all of the love, prayers and support you’ve given us. It’s just surreal.”