Craig Austrie
Encyclopedia
Craig Kevin Austrie is an American basketball player. He played in college for the University of Connecticut
and played briefly for the Springfield Armor
in the NBA Development League
.
's Connecticut high school basketball
player of the year award in his senior season.
at UMass
. However, Lappas was fired during Austrie's senior year in high school, and Austrie re-opened his search. He then committed to UConn, his home state school, after also considering Florida
, Pittsburgh
, Providence
, St. John's
, and USC.
. Had a career-best 15 points in the win over Arizona
.
.
, Austrie hit an off-balance jump shot as time expired to give the Huskies a 74-73 win.
.
Austrie currently ranks third all-time at UConn in career free throw percentage (83.0). He graduated from UConn in 2009.
. He played in 5 games, averaging 7.6 points and 1.6 assists per game. He was waived by the club on December 11, 2009. Ironically, he was replaced on the Armor's roster by Chris Lowe, who was recruited to UMass to fill the point guard role that was intended for Austrie.
Since his stint with the Armor, Austrie has started his own business, offering basketball lessons to individuals and groups.
Connecticut Huskies men's basketball
The Connecticut Huskies is the name of the men's college basketball team representing the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, Connecticut, USA. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
and played briefly for the Springfield Armor
Springfield Armor
The Springfield Armor is a basketball team located in Springfield, Massachusetts, which plays in the NBA Development League. The Armor plays its home games at the MassMutual Center in Springfield's Metro Center neighborhood. The team is owned by HWS Basketball, LLC which is principally owned by...
in the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
.
High school career
In his four years, Trinity Catholic went 103-6, captured three league titles, two state titles and was state runner-up twice. The Crusaders went 26-2 in his senior season (2005) as he averaged 22.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals. Austrie won GatoradeGatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
's Connecticut high school basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player of the year award in his senior season.
College career
Austrie had originally given a verbal commitment to play for Steve LappasSteve Lappas
Steve Lappas is an American college men's basketball coach. He coached at Manhattan College , Villanova University and the University of Massachusetts , compiling a 280-237 record over a 17-year coaching career...
at UMass
UMass Minutemen basketball
The UMass Minutemen basketball team, also known as the Massachusetts Minutemen, represents the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I men's competition...
. However, Lappas was fired during Austrie's senior year in high school, and Austrie re-opened his search. He then committed to UConn, his home state school, after also considering Florida
Florida Gators men's basketball
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...
, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
, Providence
Providence Friars men's basketball
The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition, in which they are a founding member of the Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island...
, St. John's
St. John's Red Storm men's basketball
The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represents the St. John's University in Queens, New York. The team participates in the Big East Conference. The men’s coach Norm Roberts was fired on March 19, 2010...
, and USC.
2005–06 (Freshman)
Played in all 34 games, starting the first 24 games. Had a UConn-freshman record 14 assists in the win over QuinnipiacQuinnipiac University
Quinnipiac University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in Hamden, Connecticut, United States at the foot of Sleeping Giant State Park...
. Had a career-best 15 points in the win over Arizona
Arizona Wildcats men's basketball
The Arizona Wildcats basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. They are currently coached by Sean Miller.Arizona has a long and rich...
.
2006–07 (Sophomore)
Saw action in all 30 games making 6 starts for the Huskies. Reached double-figures in scoring on eight occasions, including a season-high 14 points against Big East rival SyracuseSyracuse Orange men's basketball
The Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
.
2007–08 (Junior)
Saw action in 31 games this season, making 16 starts. Because of his 89.2 free throw percentage with a 24-for-31 mark when shooting in the final two minutes, he was noted for his calm and composed demeanor late in games, having been described by the coaching staff as "solemn but normal". In the game at South FloridaSouth Florida Bulls
The South Florida Bulls are the athletic teams for the University of South Florida. The university competes in NCAA Division I, USF is a member of the Big East Conference, and has been since 2005...
, Austrie hit an off-balance jump shot as time expired to give the Huskies a 74-73 win.
2008–09 (Senior)
Started in 23 of 36 games in his senior season and helped the Huskies get to the Final Four2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The first and second round games were played at the following sites:First and Second Rounds: Thursday and Saturday, March 19 and 21, 2009-Qualifying teams:-Brackets:Results to date * – Denotes overtime periodAll times in U.S. EDT....
.
Austrie currently ranks third all-time at UConn in career free throw percentage (83.0). He graduated from UConn in 2009.
Pro career
Austrie was picked 3rd in the 4th round of the 2009 NBDL draft by the Springfield ArmorSpringfield Armor
The Springfield Armor is a basketball team located in Springfield, Massachusetts, which plays in the NBA Development League. The Armor plays its home games at the MassMutual Center in Springfield's Metro Center neighborhood. The team is owned by HWS Basketball, LLC which is principally owned by...
. He played in 5 games, averaging 7.6 points and 1.6 assists per game. He was waived by the club on December 11, 2009. Ironically, he was replaced on the Armor's roster by Chris Lowe, who was recruited to UMass to fill the point guard role that was intended for Austrie.
Since his stint with the Armor, Austrie has started his own business, offering basketball lessons to individuals and groups.
External links
- http://www.craigaustrie.net/
- UConn Huskies profile