National Basketball Association

NBA honors ex-Baylor star Isaiah Austin during draft

Published Jun. 26, 2014 9:46 p.m. ET

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Isaiah Austin dreamt of hearing his name called in Thursday night's NBA Draft. Sunday, after announcing his career was over after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, that dream looked like it was over.

Though Austin won't be playing, the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver gave Austin his moment by drafting him and recognizing his career before the 16th pick of the first round.

Silver and the NBA teamed up with Austin to provide one of the night's most memorable moments. Austin announced on Sunday he had been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, which affects the body's connective tissue and in Austin's case, produced an enlarged aaorta that left him in danger of dying if he continued his basketball career.

"God has really blessed me," Austin told reporters after being drafted. "He could've allowed me to keep playing, but instead he saved my life."

He called getting his name called "one of the greatest moments of my life."

Austin also revealed last year that he uses a prosthetic eye because of a childhood accident that left him with a detached retina.

The sophomore has made the rounds at the draft this week and got a shoutout from fellow Big 12 talent Marcus Smart earlier in the night after Smart was drafted sixth overall by the Boston Celtics.

He's also handed out shirts with his new slogan, "Dream Again."

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