Player News

By Ryan Beltran

In a video from Vice Sports two years ago, former Ole Miss point guard Marshall Henderson was highlighted as he was playing professional basketball in Iraq, which was facing some extreme violence. There were times where he pointed out that there would be explosions outside his hotel at night. Compared from his Ole Miss days when he was a controversial, loud, arrogant star, his career and life took a complete spin. He was no longer flashing  insults at opposing teams fans or was the troublemaking star for Ole Miss. He wasn’t the guy making showboating gestures at Auburn or Florida fans, making him a villain to many other fans across college basketball. After his college career, he has been drifting from place to place trying to get his life back. 
  
After failing to get drafted and failing to get guaranteed spots on a summer league roster, Henderson took his career overseas. He first traveled to Italy and took short-term contracts at Italian clubs Bertram Tortona and Openjobmetis Varese. After playing in Italy he had stints in Qatar and Iraq in 2015, being named MVP of the Arab Club championship for  Al Rayyan Doha.

He then got signed for the Sacramento Kings but was then later cut in October 2015 after only one preseason appearance, returning to Italy again for another stint.

By Ryan Beltran

After two years at Baylor, Isaiah Austin declared for the 2014 NBA draft. Sadly, days before his dreams could come true, he was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. He was told by a doctor that his disorder would not allow him to be able to pursue his dream of playing professional basketball, and unfortunately he had to drop out of the NBA draft.
 
Two years later, he was luckily cleared  to play basketball again. He signed his first professional contract with Serbian club KK FMP Beograd. In 12 KLS (Serbian League) games, he averaged 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds a game.  In 2017 Austin would play in the Adriatic League with FMP and play with two teams in China (Guangxi Rhinos and Yulon Luxgen Dinos).

​Also, in September 2017, he participated for the Philippines national team at the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup. The team finished the tournament in fifth place and  Austin  recorded 37 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and six blocks in the final game of the tournament.

Austin is still 24 years old and looks to be continuing his basketball career. He last signed for Lebanese club Champville SC on January 20, 2018. It is unclear if he can ever make or get a chance at an NBA team, but being able to play basketball professionally must be something he can be very proud of.