Mike Stobe/Getty ImagesThe NBA bestowed a very special honor to Isaiah Austin during yesterday's 2014 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The 20-year-old former Baylor Bears star, who was forced to give up playing basketball on a competitive level earlier this week when he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, was honored with an honorary draft pick Thursday by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
The NBA shared a video of the touching moment from yesterday's draft on their Instagram, writing, "The NBA selects Isaiah Austin! #DreamAgain." Those in attendance clapped and cheered while giving Austin a standing ovation during the moving moment.
It was only a few days ago that Austin announced his career-ending diagnosis (Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue). Austin sat down with ESPN the other day for an emotional interview about his diagnosis.
"They said I wouldn't be able to play basketball anymore at a competitive level," Austin said fighting back tears. "They found the gene in my blood sample. They told me that my arteries in my heart are enlarged and that if I overwork myself and push too hard that my heart could rupture. The draft is four days away, and I had a dream that my name was going to be called."
The NBA proved the dreams really do come true.