Isaac Austin

Isaac Austin is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association for several teams between 1991 and 2002. While playing for the Miami Heat in 1997, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Isaac Edward "Ike" Austin was born on August 18, 1969, in Gridley, California, United States of America. He stands 208 cm tall and his weight was listed at 122 kg. Austin played as a right-handed shooter and was a center.

He is the uncle of former Baylor University basketball player Isaiah Austin.

High School and College Career

Austin attended Las Plumas High School in Oroville, California. Later, he played college basketball for Reedley College and was there from 1987 to 1988 before transferring to Arizona State University and playing for them from 1989 to 1991.

In 1991, he was named to the First-team All-Pac-10.

Professional Career

Austin was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 48th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 1991 NBA Draft.

Isaac Austin's professional basketball career spanned over a decade and included stints with multiple teams across the NBA and international leagues. He began his NBA journey with the Utah Jazz in 1991, playing for them until 1993.

After a brief period with the Oklahoma City Cavalry in the CBA, Austin had a short stint with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1994. He then took his talents overseas, playing for CRO Lyon in France and Tuborg Pilsener in Turkey.

Austin returned to the NBA in 1996, joining the Miami Heat where he had a career resurgence and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 1997.

His NBA journey continued with brief stops at the Los Angeles Clippers and Orlando Magic in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Austin then played for the Washington Wizards in the 1999-2000 season before joining the Vancouver Grizzlies (which later became the Memphis Grizzlies) from 2000 to 2002.

Following his NBA career, Austin played internationally again, suiting up for Ülkerspor in Turkey in 2002 and the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China in 2003. His final professional appearance was with the Jersey Squires in 2004, marking the end of a diverse and well-traveled career.

After his playing career, Austin briefly owned and coached the Utah Snowbears of the American Basketball Association from 2004 to 2005.

Career Highlights

• 1991 - First-team All-Pac-10
• 1997 - NBA Most Improved Player

Career NBA statistics:

• Points: 3,285 (7.6 ppg)
• Rebounds: 2,030 (4.7 rpg)
• Assists: 538 (1.2 apg)