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Spring Showdown: Darius Austin Scouting Video and Q&A

Michigan coaches paid closed attention to the Southwest Illinois Jets throughout the weekend at the Nike Spring Showdown in Merrillville, Ind. We’ve already highlighted Peyton Allen and Darreon Reddick’s performances but Darius Austin might have been the most impressive Jet on the weekend. Austin, #23 in the video below, was effective slashing to the basket throughout the weekend. The Cahokia, Illinois native camped in Ann Arbor last summer and likens his game to Michigan wing guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

After the jump find our interview with Austin who discusses his performance, his thoughts on Michigan and more.

Can you talk about your overall thoughts on your performance in your two games today?“First game, I think I came out aggressive, played hard, and gotof ice. I think the police picked her up, he tells me. She walked in here with blood all over her face – I think she fell.

The next day I find her at Williamson County Jail — she’d been arrested for public intoxication. When the security guards finally take me in to visit her, I see the ghost sitting on the other side of a two inch pane of glass in a wheelchair — eyes glazed over, drool seeping from the corners of her mouth.

“Oh, mommy.” She stares blankly past me. “Mommy, are you okay?”

Silence.

“Please, talk to me.”

No response. Nothing. Hollow gaze. Empty eyes.

A few months later, she was released from jail and a county judge awarded me custody and legal rights. I had just turned twenty and