Elmer Austin

Elmer Austin
Austin with the North Carolina A&T Aggies, c. 1972
Personal information
Born(1949-12-11)December 11, 1949
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedDecember 28, 2023(2023-12-28) (aged 74)
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolDudley (Greensboro, North Carolina)
CollegeNorth Carolina A&T (1968–1972)
NBA draft1972: undrafted
PositionForward
Career highlights and awards

Elmer M. Austin Jr. (December 11, 1949 – December 28, 2023) was an American basketball player. He played college basketball for the North Carolina A&T Aggies and was the inaugural Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 1972.

Early life

Austin was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, to parents Elmer and Dorothy Austin.[1] He attended James B. Dudley High School and initially pursued football until he was coerced by others into playing basketball.[2] Austin averaged over 20 points per game during his prep career and received interest from 10 colleges.[2] He was recruited by Cal Irvin of the North Carolina A&T Aggies and accepted a scholarship to attend North Carolina A&T State University.[2] Austin graduated from Dudley in 1968.[1]

College career

Austin impressed Irvin during a preseason scrimmage against the Elon Phoenix and was moved into the starting line-up of the Aggies.[2] He scored 24 points in his debut against the Akron Zips and remained in the starting line-up for his collegiate career.[2]

Austin averaged a team-leading 19.1 points and 12.7 rebounds per game during his junior season.[2] He earned All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) team honors.[2][3]

The Aggies moved to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for its debut season in 1971–72.[4] Austin led the team to the first MEAC championship while averaging a team-high 21.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.[5] He was selected as the inaugural MEAC Player of the Year.[5]

Austin graduated with a degree in physical education.[1] He tried out for professional clubs and the United States men's national basketball team after the 1972 NBA draft.[5]

Personal life and death

Austin had three children with his wife. He died in Greensboro, North Carolina on December 28, 2023, at the age of 74.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Elmer Austin". Hargett Funeral Service, Inc. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Elmer Austin Named MEAC's 'Player of the Year' in Basketball". The A&T Register. February 25, 1972. p. 7. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Austin - Harris Named To All CIAA Team". The A&T Register. February 25, 1971. p. 8. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  4. ^ Stevens, Chris (July 3, 2023). "The history of HBCU realignment – the MEAC yesterday, today but what about tomorrow?". HBCU Sports. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Final Olympic Tryout May Aid Elmer Austin" (PDF). The Carolina Times. July 8, 1972. p. 7A. Retrieved February 1, 2024.

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