When Mississippi State forward Mario Austin declared his eligibility for the NBA Draft, the SEC let out a collective sigh of relief, because they knew the Bulldogs might struggle. Those same SEC schools are no doubt returning to a state of panic as Austin today announced that he will stay in Starkville for his junior season.
Austin’s mother has recently been hospitalized in Alabama, and Mario has spent most of the last couple of weeks at her side. According to Austin, she played a key role in his decision to return to Starkville.
“I’ve been going through a lot as far as on the court and off the court. My mom has been real sick and having heart trouble, and she’s been really tough in helping me make my decision to come back,” Austin said.
Coach Rick Stansbury, who was also a key player in helping Mario to make a decision, commended Austin for making the decision that was best for him.
“Mario owes Mississippi State, myself, this team and the alumni nothing. The decision he needs to make is for him and his mother, and to his credit, after doing some reaseach on his own, he made the decision to come back because he feels it’s the best for his mother and father, and that’s not easy to do. I think it says a lot about him,” Stansbury said.
Austin will return to a Mississippi State basketball team that loses five players to graduation and one to transfer, but also returns some key players from the SEC Tournament championship team.
The 6-foot-9-inch York, Ala., sophomore will try to improve on a season in which he averaged 16 points and just over seven rebounds a game. Austin was also named to the All-SEC team for his efforts.
Austin mentioned defense and rebounding as things he should work on to improve his NBA stock. Perimeter shooting was also a concern that will be addressed by Austin and the coaches.
Austin and the Bulldogs, who finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by Texas.