Isaac Austin
Isaac Edward "Ike" Austin (born August 18, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player who played as a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for nine seasons from 1991 to 2002.[1] Standing at 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) and weighing 255 pounds (116 kg), he was known for his physical presence in the paint and rebounding ability.[1] Austin's most notable achievement came during the 1996–97 season with the Miami Heat, where he won the NBA Most Improved Player Award after posting averages of 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while serving as a backup to Alonzo Mourning.[2][3] Austin attended Arizona State University, where he played two seasons (1989–1991) for the Sun Devils, averaging 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game across 61 appearances while starting 57.[4] In his senior year, he led the team in scoring (16.3 points per game) and rebounding (8.7 per game), earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors and helping Arizona State secure its first NCAA Tournament berth in a decade with a 20-win season.[4] Selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round (21st pick, 48th overall) of the 1991 NBA draft, Austin began his professional career modestly, appearing in limited roles early on and spending time in the Continental Basketball Association and overseas leagues, including a stint in Turkey during the 1995–96 season where he averaged 22.3 points and 13.9 rebounds per game.[1][5] Throughout his NBA tenure, Austin suited up for seven franchises: the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies (the franchise relocated from Vancouver to Memphis during his tenure).[1] In 432 regular-season games, he accumulated career totals of 3,285 points, 2,030 rebounds, and 538 assists, with per-game averages of 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 44.6% from the field.[1] His standout 1997–98 season with the Heat saw him average 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 52 games, including a career-high 22 rebounds in a single contest against the Toronto Raptors.[6] Austin also appeared in 20 playoff games, averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds.[1] After retiring in 2003 following brief overseas play, he transitioned to coaching, leading the Utah Snowbears of the American Basketball Association in the 2004–05 season.[7]Early life
Childhood and family
Isaac Austin was born on August 18, 1969, in Gridley, California.[1] He grew up in this small agricultural community in Northern California.[8] Austin hails from a family with strong basketball connections; he is the uncle of Isaiah Austin, who enjoyed a prominent college career at Baylor University, earning two-time All-Big 12 honors as a center before a medical diagnosis ended his playing days.[9]High school career
Isaac Austin attended Las Plumas High School in Oroville, California, where he developed his basketball skills as an interior player during the mid-1980s.[1] He graduated in 1987 and initially played football before focusing on basketball.[10] His time at Las Plumas marked the beginning of a trajectory that led to success in higher levels of competition after pursuing junior college opportunities.[11]College career
Kings River Community College
Isaac Austin began his college basketball career at Kings River Community College (now Reedley College) following a standout high school tenure at Las Plumas High School in Durham, California.[1] He played there for two seasons (1987–89) as a 6-foot-10 center, establishing himself as a physical presence in the post and a leader on the roster.[12] Under the guidance of the program's coaching staff, Austin focused on building his rebounding prowess and interior scoring, adapting to the demands of organized college play after his prep success. In 1987–88, he averaged 9.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game over 32 appearances. His performance improved in 1988–89 to 18.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in 31 games.[13] No individual awards from his Kings River days are widely recorded, but his consistent impact as a rebounder and scorer laid the groundwork for his professional trajectory.Arizona State University
After transferring from Kings River Community College, Isaac Austin joined the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team, playing as a center from 1989 to 1991.[14] His arrival brought added size and physicality to the frontcourt, building on the foundational skills he developed in junior college.[14] In the 1989–90 season, Austin appeared in all 31 games for the Sun Devils, who finished with a 15–16 overall record and 6–12 mark in the Pac-10 Conference, placing seventh.[15] He averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game, shooting 54.7% from the field, while ranking in the Pac-10's top 20 for scoring and rebounding.[14] The team won the ASU/Tribune Classic that year, with Austin contributing steadily in non-conference play.[16] Austin's performance elevated in the 1990–91 season, his senior year, where he started all 30 games and led the Sun Devils in both scoring and rebounding.[14] The team improved to a 20–10 overall record and 10–8 in the Pac-10, securing third place and earning an NCAA Tournament berth as a No. 8 seed.[17] He averaged 16.3 points, 8.7 rebounds (leading the Pac-10 with 262 total), and 0.6 blocks per game, earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors.[14] In the NCAA Tournament, Austin scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a first-round upset win over Rutgers (79–76), followed by a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) in a second-round loss to Arkansas (90–97).[18] Against Pac-10 rivals, his rebounding prowess helped Arizona State compete in a competitive conference, though the Sun Devils split series with top teams like UCLA and Stanford.[17]| Season | Games | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | Team Record (Overall/Pac-10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–90 | 31 | 13.7 | 6.2 | 0.8 | 54.7 | 15–16 / 6–12 |
| 1990–91 | 30 | 16.3 | 8.7 | 0.6 | 57.1 | 20–10 / 10–8 |