Sports

NBA Drafts Medically Ineligible Isaiah Austin

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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Isaiah Austin’s dream of being drafted in the NBA came true last night in a heartwarming moment, just days after he found out he would never be able to play NBA basketball due to a genetic disorder.

Austin announced on Sunday he was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome. Marfan Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder found approximately in one in 5,000 people. Marfan Syndrome causes problems in connective tissues throughout the body, and can be life-threatening. Austin was a star player at Baylor, and the 7’1″ center would have otherwise been drafted last night.

Midway though the first round of the NBA Draft last night, Commissioner Adam Silver announced he would be making a special pick. “Like the other young men here tonight, Isaiah committed himself through endless hard work and dedication to a potential career as a professional basketball player, and we wanted to make sure he fulfilled at least this part of his dream,” Silver told the Brookyln crowd. “So it gives me great pleasure to say that with the next pick in the 2014 NBA draft, the NBA selects Isaiah Austin from Baylor University.”

See the great moment below .

Tags : nba
Alex Pfeiffer