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. |
Died | December 28, 2023(2023-12-28) (aged 74) Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Dudley (Greensboro, North Carolina) |
College | North Carolina A&T (1968–1972) |
NBA draft | 1972: undrafted |
Position | Forward |
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
- ^ a b c d "Elmer Austin". Hargett Funeral Service, Inc. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Austin - Harris Named To All CIAA Team". The A&T Register. February 25, 1971. p. 8. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Stevens, Chris (July 3, 2023). "The history of HBCU realignment – the MEAC yesterday, today but what about tomorrow?". HBCU Sports. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Final Olympic Tryout May Aid Elmer Austin" (PDF). The Carolina Times. July 8, 1972. p. 7A. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
External links
- College statistics
- v
- t
- e
- 1972: Austin
- 1973: Webster
- 1974: Webster
- 1975: Webster
- 1976: Sparrow
- 1977: Evans
- 1978: Glover
- 1979: Brawner
- 1980: Ratiff
- 1981: Spriggs
- 1982: Binion
- 1983: Binion
- 1984: Binion
- 1985: Boyd
- 1986: Hill
- 1987: Cale
- 1988: C. Williams
- 1989: Davis
- 1990: L. Stewart
- 1991: L. Stewart
- 1992: Turner
- 1993: Robinson
- 1994: S. Stewart
- 1995: S. Stewart
- 1996: Mott
- 1997: Blakney
- 1998: Brockington
- 1999: Woolfolk
- 2000: Woolfolk
- 2001: T. Williams
- 2002: Adams
- 2003: Williamson
- 2004: Zimmerman
- 2005: Hicks
- 2006: Bluntt
- 2007: Bluntt
- 2008: Smith
- 2009: McKee
- 2010: Holmes
- 2011: Reed
- 2012: O'Quinn
- 2013: P. Williams
- 2014: Ingram
- 2015: Gray
- 2016: Daniel
- 2017: P. Cole
- 2018: Tabb
- 2019: R. Cole
- 2020: Blount
- 2021: Tarke
- 2022: Bryant
- 2023: Bryant
- 2024: Thomas