Ex-Baylor Star Isaiah Austin Cleared to Play in NBA 2 Years After Being Diagnosed With Rare Disorder (UPDATE)

Former Baylor star Isaiah Austin has been cleared to play in the NBA after a two-year battle with Marfan syndrome.

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Complex Original

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UPDATED, January 7, 2017 8:44 p.m. ET: It looks like Isaiah Austin found a home quicker than we could have imagined. His agent confirmed Austin signed his first professional deal this evening, and he will play for FMP in the Adriatic League.

Austin’s agent relayed the following to European basketball whiz David Pick:

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The Adriatic League is a good place for Austin to get his feet under him. It’s a step below the top tier of European basketball leagues, but he’ll be up against a decent level of competition.

This is the first step toward a possible NBA debut. Best of luck in your travels, Isaiah.

See original story from 12/01/2016 below.

Back in 2014, former Baylor center Isaiah Austin was all set to enter the NBA. But just as he was about to realize his dream and become a professional basketball player, Austin was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, which forced him to prematurely retire from basketball. As he explained during an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe at the time, the arteries in his heart were so large as a result of the disorder that doctors feared they could rupture if he continued to play. The NBA decided to have Commissioner Adam Silver "draft" Austin during the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft anyway and it made for a great TV moment, but it was hard not to feel bad for Austin after he came so close to the NBA only to be denied due to a health issue.

As it turns out, though, Austin's NBA dream didn't die that day. On Wednesday night, he revealed that he has been cleared to play basketball again, which is something that seemed like it would be impossible in 2014. Austin revealed the news on his Instagram account. "Ever since the draft, I’ve been getting checked by my doctors. And through those check-ups, we’ve been monitoring my heart, making sure nothing has changed," Austin explained. "He said that I’m stable. I am cleared. I am about to be out here pursuing my dream."

Before he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, Austin was projected to go anywhere from the middle of the first round into the second round in the draft. In his sophomore season at Baylor, which was his final year, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. He was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team for his efforts.

Now, at the age of just 23, Austin will enter the NBA's free agent pool, though his immediate plan seems to be to entertain offers from overseas:

What a great turn of events. We can't wait to see this kid take the floor again.

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