By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Chris Austin comes from that old school mind set. He leads the Maranatha basketball program quietly and with class. Austin doesn’t believe in denigrating an opponent with unprovoked taunts or trash talk. He just takes the floor night in and night out for Coach Tim Tucker and gives everything he […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Chris Austin comes from that old school mind set.
He leads the Maranatha basketball program quietly and with class.
Austin doesn’t believe in denigrating an opponent with unprovoked taunts or trash talk.
He just takes the floor night in and night out for Coach Tim Tucker and gives everything he has on both ends of the court.
The Minutemen are vying for their fourth consecutive Olympic League title with just three games to play.
With that said, this hasn’t been the season many had hoped for.
The Minutemen are 9-13 overall, with much of that being due to the fact that three projected starters were lost and a large chunk of the Maranatha line up were playing JV ball last year at this time.
Closing games out and a lack of depth has been difficult for all involved.
But with all that said, if Maranatha (4-1 in Olympic League play) defeats visiting Valley Christian on Friday night and picks up the season sweep over the Crusaders, they will almost certainly win their fourth consecutive league championship.
Austin, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound stud averages 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per night.
That is up 8 points per game from his MVP season of a year ago.
He’s equally accomplished in the classroom with a 3.5 and climbing GPA, despite taking AP classes, and he’s headed to New York in the fall to attend and compete at Fordham University.
The most impressive part about this kid, though, is that he’s even a better person than an athlete or student.
He’s so gracious and humble and loves his family and friends immensely for all they’ve done to brighten his life.
Austin started the season by scoring 20 points or more in 16 of their first 20 games, and he’s kept that pace throughout.
He’s the guy his coaches and teammates want with the ball in his hands late in the fourth quarter and with the game on the line.
Every player we’ve spoken to raves about Austin’s insatiable desire to work hard and get better literally every day.
Austin and his fellow Minutemen were just 3 points from winning a CIF-SS championship on March 4 of last year.
He teamed with seniors Sean Espinosa, Jesse Elrod, Terrance Lang, Mason Swinnie and the rest of his boys to win playoff games over Viewpoint, St. John Bosco, Tahquitz and Cantwell-Sacred Heart before falling, 43-41, to Rancho Verde in the title game.
They were incredibly clutch late in games last season, especially in the postseason.
Maranatha defeated Bosco 66-63 in overtime to the surprise of many, and then knocked off Tahquitz, 56-55 and earned a 52-50 victory over Cantwell-Sacred Heart.
But watching all those quality seniors graduate, and as we mentioned, the loss of three projected starters was going to be a challenge for anyone.
“It’s tough, because we have more players with less experience and we’ve been forced to step up even more,” Austin said. “We’re playing good teams around the area that have been around each other for a while, so we’ve had to be really patient. But this has been one of my favorite teams to play with because every member of this team works their butts off every day and gives everything they have on the court. We all play for each other and all have become good friends with one another, and I hope we use the next two weeks getting ready for the playoffs.”
Xavier Ford (17 points per game) and Wes Clarkson (10 points, 8 rebounds) have been enormously reliable and consistent for Austin and Tucker.
He and Ford have been friends for a long time and both spent their early prep days at Monrovia High School.
“Xavier Ford has been a longtime friend and I was so happy when he chose Maranatha,” Austin said. “I was surprised at first how well he’s played, but he’s gotten astronomically better and his ball handling and shooting form have become very consistent.
Wes Clarkson has really stepped up. He’s only a little taller than me and yet he has to guard 6-foot-8 guys who have played much longer than him and he’s giving us everything he has and works really hard.”
Coach Tucker couldn’t be more happy to have Austin or more proud that No. 11 is the face of his program.
“Chris is one of the best leaders I’ve ever had and he’s the classiest kid I’ve ever been around,” Tucker said. “I think he’s as good as some players in the Pac-12. I’ve seen a lot of schools come up and asked me why he picked Fordham, and I tell them that it’s because he doesn’t care about the limelight. He likes the challenge of facing the best guy on the other team. I haven’t seen one team stop Austin from scoring, despite double and triple-teaming him, and he also defends, rebounds and gets steals. He smiles regardless if it’s a good day or bad day.”
Another reason he chose Fordham was because Austin plans to major in Graphic Design and he said they have a great program to prepare him for life after basketball.
He’s also taken into account that he’s going from one coast to the opposite side of the country, and while there are some concerns, he knows with social media, face time and other means of communication, he’s going to be just fine.
Other schools interested in his services, included UC Irvine, Cal Poly SLO, Long Beach State, Eastern Washington and others.
But he said he’s content playing his collegiate ball in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Two of the Pasadena area’s biggest stars also raved about what a quality person and player Austin has become.
Pasadena point guard Darius Brown II and Muir forward Hunter Woods both played with Austin in the off-season and both said he’s the ideal teammate and friend.
Brown and Austin spent much of the summer working out together and pushing each other to get better at a local 24 Hour Fitness when they weren’t competing in organized games.
Austin’s game is described by many as someone who hits a consistent midrange jump shot, and that his athletic ability, strength and quickness are deceiving and no one is going to out-smart the 17-year old on the floor.
When discussing the chances of winning a fourth Olympic League title for the school, he valued the importance of that not letting down the most recent, but also the entire alumni at Maranatha and their program throughout the years.
While he feels Maranatha has fallen short in some area’s especially late in games, he said the entire group has become incredibly close, because they’ve fought through so much adversity together and that he “wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world.”
How did Austin turn out to be such a smart, humble, athletic and successful basketball player and person?
Well, first, he credits his father Chris with helping him improve his game, that he enjoys spending time with his father in Pasadena and for helping with advice on being a man.
His hero in life is his mother.
Sharon Young-Austin is someone that is so giving, loving and supportive to her son that Chris described his life as being “privileged to have a mom like I do.”
Her sacrifices, examples of being a good person and her calming nature have all helped Austin in every phase of his life.
Said Austin: “My mom is definitely a crazy big part of my life, because she’s supported me in everything I’ve done, helped me get into the travel team (LA Rockfish) and she still comes to all my games even though she’s an hour away in Riverside. I value her the most in down times, because she always picks me up. She’s everywhere and does everything. She is definitely a hero and role model because of her sacrifices and being such a sweet, poised and composed person, who is always positive. She never gets too rattled and is a calming presence in my life.”
It’s not just his mom and dad that Austin admires and appreciates.
He also loves Coach Tucker.
“He’s been a great influence on me and pushed me like no one else has to get me to places I needed to be. He’s great at preparing us and me. I appreciate the effort he’s put into our team. Even this year, when we’ve struggled, he still comes to work with the same enthusiasm and attitude of being positive,” Austin said.
When this interview was conducted, Maranatha was 48 hours away from playing Whittier Christian in the final four games of the regular season.
On Tuesday night, the Austin-led Minutemen, defeated the Heralds, 62-56, behind 21 points from their star senior.
There are just three to go, most notably Friday’s visit from second-place Valley Christian.
So, what is Austin’s outlook on the final few games before the playoffs?
“I definitely think we need to win all three games, but also work on our defense, because we can have an off night on offense and it won’t really matter if we defend well. We need to focus on one thing the whole game and execute that I feel like we’re holding our tradition in the Olympic League, and I expect nothing less,” he said.
You’ll see below what others around the area think of Austin in the ‘quotable’ section, but perhaps Tucker’s take on Austin’s family is the root as to why Chris because Chris, and does it on and off the court.
“His mom and dad are great parents and his sister is an artist, Tucker said. “They both have a big impact on Chris and they should be really proud of how well he represents them. I know I’m incredibly proud and blessed that he represents our program with so much class and dignity. You’ll never find a more humble kid around.”
Quotable:
Maranatha coach Tim Tucker: “Chris is someone that deserves far more accolades than he’s received and I think part of that is because of how quietly he carries himself. He can shoot over guys and does every little thing a great player does. Sometimes I feel like we put too much pressure on Chris, but he handles it all so well.”
Pasadena coach Tony Brooks: “It’s been a stellar year for Pasadena area basketball. You have Hunter Woods, Bryce Hamilton, Darius Brown II as well as Chris at Maranatha. Each of those guys are highly intelligent players. I don’t have to be told Chris works on his game, I can see he works on his game. He has a great mid-range shot and can finish at the basket above taller players. He has really made a big leap in last two years with Coach Tucker.”
Maranatha senior Xavier Ford: “He’s undoubtedly the guy to give the ball to with the clock running down. He is an all-around scorer and is very consistent, which makes him tough to cover. He’s undoubtedly a top-100 player in the class of 2018. Chris is a loyal and reliable friend. He’s been there for me even after he left Monrovia. Even now, I feel our friendship is displayed on the court. He’s become a leader for us and also a safety net. He’s very encouraging and reassuring to everyone. Above all, I respect his work ethic. For as long as I remember, he always had a ball with him. He has a drive to improve, and I feel that helps set him apart from many of his competitors.”
Maranatha junior Wes Clarkson: “Chris is a great friend and a great teammate. He’s someone I know I can rely on, and that includes on and off the court. He always gives everything he has in everything he does. I’ve come to see Chris as a brother and a leader. He always just constantly works at being the best and always pushes others around him to be the best as well. Chris is really a great player with an incredible skill set and definitely has the work ethic to match. I’m happy to have had Chris to learn from and push me to be better in the time he’s been at Maranatha and I can’t wait to see how great his basketball career turns out.”
Former Maranatha point guard Sean Espinosa: “Chris is a fantastic player and he was a great teammate. He made the game so much easier because team’s would focus in on him so much because of his scoring ability, and that would open up opportunities for everyone else. Chris is also one of the most athletic people I’ve ever met, and he’s only going to continue to increase his athleticism. He is a great friend off the court and we still talk when we can. It’s great to see how much better he’s gotten just from last year. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do in the future.”
Former Maranatha forward Jesse Elrod: “When Chris transferred to Maranatha, I knew he was going to be a special player. His scoring ability is a gift, because most players could only imagine to have such talent like Chris, but most don’t put in the work. He puts in the work on a daily basis and that’s why the game slows down for him and makes him such a great scorer. I definitely miss playing with him. As Sean (Espinosa) said, most teams would scheme something up to try and stop him, but would forget all of the other starting players, and it just made this easier for us as a whole unit. Chris and I still talk from time to time and I try to watch him get buckets in the regular season whenever I can. I wish him the best of luck at Fordham University.”
Pasadena senior Darius Brown II: “Chris is a great guy. His work ethic is off the charts. He and I worked out together almost every day together during travel (ball) and the off-season. I’ve gotten to know him really well and he has a great character and has become a very good friend of mine. I respect his work ethic and how that translates to actual games.”
Muir senior Hunter Woods: “I think Chris is a great player and a better person. He is one of the best teammates I have played with, and he listens to everything you have to say. Chris is a great athlete and his midrange game is dangerous. I love playing with him, because he is so unselfish. He’s the ultimate teammate, and while he’s not very outspoken, when you get to know him, he is funny and cracks jokes.”
Getting To Know Chris Austin:
Favorite Athlete: James Harden
Favorite Team: Rockets
Favorite Movie: La La Land
Favorite Musical Artist: 21 Savage
Musical Artist Some May Be Surprised I Like: Frank Sinatra
Famous Person (Alive or Dead) I’d Most Want A Conversation With: Jesus Christ
2018 Remaining Regular Season Schedule:
Feb 2: Valley Christian at Maranatha at 7
Feb 6: Maranatha at Heritage Christian at 7
Feb 8: Maranatha at Village Christian at 7:30
