National Basketball Association

Baylor's Austin says NBA job waiting for him

Published Jul. 23, 2014 12:59 p.m. ET

Kerouac Smith

Isaiah Austin was supposed to follow up a stellar career at Baylor by being selected in the first round of the draft and then a long and fruitful NBA career.

Then he found out he had a condition called Marfan syndrome during pre-draft examinations and suddenly his hoop dreams were crushed.

Austin looked on the bright side, noting that the discovery of the condition could have saved his life, even if it meant his basketball career was over.

Then came draft night, when NBA commissioner took a break before the 16th pick and announced that the NBA itself was drafting Austin, welcoming him to the stage in a heartwarming moment.

Well, it looks like Silver wasn't done there. The league has given Austin a part-time role in its NBA Cares program and, according to Austin, a promise of a full-time job with the league once he graduates from Baylor.

Austin told TMZ about it on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. You can watch him discuss his NBA future below.

And here's his big night at the NBA Draft.