Isaiah Austin Cleared to Play Basketball: Latest Details and Reaction

Former Baylor Bears center Isaiah Austin was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome—a rare genetic heart disorder—prior to the 2014 NBA draft, and his basketball career looked as though it had come to a premature end just when it was slated to take off.

But on Wednesday, Austin revealed in a video for Cassy Athena's Thru The Lens that he has been cleared by doctors to play the sport that brought him into the national spotlight:

Austin said he's been deemed stable and plans on pursuing his dream after more than two years away from the game he loves.

The 23-year-old was diagnosed shortly before the NBA draft, but that didn't stop the Association from recognizing him during the 2014 selection process at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York:

"I have a whole life ahead of me," Austin said at the time, according to the Associated Press (via NBA.com). "I'm not going to sit here, and I'm not going to sulk about not being able to play basketball anymore, because I can still be involved with the game somehow or some way."

Following the league's gesture, Austin told TMZ Sports that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reached out with a job offer that would be at his disposal once he earned his college degree.

In addition to Marfan syndrome, Austin has also battled vision problems. According to ESPN.com, he has been blind in his right eye since the age of 16 after suffering a retinal detachment.

Despite the health problems, Austin was a regular contributor at Baylor before declaring for the draft. The 7'1" big man averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in two seasons with the Bears, and his two-way tools made him an intriguing prospect before his diagnosis was made public.

Now that he's been cleared to return to the floor, Austin should have a chance to make good on his potential, whether it's domestically with an NBA Development League team or abroad with a foreign club looking for interior reinforcements.