Athlete Spotlight: Andre Austin

BISMARCK  – It’s not uncommon for Bismarck High boys’ basketball coach Jordan Wilhelm to get a text at any hour of the day from his senior standout Andre Austin.
The chats center around basketball tactics and opportunities where the all-stater can find an edge or utilize a skill against an upcoming team.
“Andre is someone that spends a ton of time not just on the court, but off it as well in the film room,’’ Wilhelm said. 
Indeed, Austin is one of those rare players with natural talent, dedication and a desire to learn everything he can to be an elite player.
He’s been playing basketball since a young age tagging along with his dad to the Y. While living in Arizona he played in grade school and eventually moving to Bismarck.
“I love the fast pace of the game and how there are so many different ways to score or impact the game,’’ Austin said.
Impact is a perfect word to describe Austin. Whether it be leading a fast break, finishing at the rim, stealing a ball or hitting a three pointer, jersey No. 1 seems to be everywhere.
Heading into February he was in the top 10 in four WDA statistical categories, including points (18.9 ppg) rebounds (8.5 rpg); assists (6.1 apg) and steals (2.7 spg).
However his reign on the court didn’t come right away.  Andre had to adjust to the pace and intensity of varsity play. He had his share of growing pains. But he also had the benefit of watching and learning from a Mr. Basketball talent. “My first season I got to play with Trey (Eaglestaff), so I got to learn a lot,’’ he said. “I always loved how passionate and badly he wanted to win and do whatever it took (to win).”
With each passing year, his confidence in his abilities grew and the game really slowed down for him.
“His great attribute on the court is his ability to handle the ball and make decisions,’’ Wilhelm said. “He is an elite passer and rim finisher. He broke our career assist record before his senior season and set a 30-year single season record last year. And on pace to break it again (this year).”
His offensive skill set is just one side of his contributions. He often is assigned to guard the opponent’s best player and his knack for getting into the right position for a defensive board or disrupt a team’s offensive flow with his quickness is why he is effective on the D-side of the floor. 
Anyone who has watched Bismarck High in action knows its style of play deviates from the conventional.
“The pressure we put on other teams, the pace and the amount of depth and constant subbing in and out makes it hard on teams to slow (the pace) down,’’ Austin contends. “It’s definitely fun. I know how it is to go against the press and definitely I would rather be running the press than playing against it.”
The ability to play at a frenetic pace for 36 minutes requires 
a number of players engaged every second. 
“We play fast and the ability to play fast is not possible without a lead guard that is willing to push the pace throughout the course of the game,’’ Wilhelm said. “His unselfishness and total buy-in from start of his freshman season is incredible. He has been coachable through his career and his obsessions with getting better is a huge part of what has him the play he has become.”
Like all athletes, game day is special for Andre and he has his routines. His pre-game meal after school comes courtesy of Jimmy Johns. His choice of shoes to wear depends on how he performed the game before. And listening to music is a must. “I listen to calm music until after halftime of the game before (we play),’’ he said. “Then I connect to the speaker and start to listen to more upbeat songs. That’s around the time I start to stretch and do some ball-handling warmups.”
As part of the senior group, Andre is keenly aware that leadership extends beyond points and rebounds. It means positive body language, saying an encouraging word and making sure his teammates are primed for battle.
“His leadership in the huddles and in the locker room is second to none,’’ Wilhelm said. “He has become one of the best leaders in my 14 years coaching at Bismarck High,’’ “He holds his teammates to a high standard and keeps me on my toes because I know I need to be sharp to push him to be the best player he can be.”
When its crunch time and the outcome is in doubt, some players live for those critical moments. Austin is one of them. 
“I don’t know what it is, but I like to have the ball in my hands when the game is on the line,’’ he admits.
And oftentimes, something special happens. 
With just six weeks of play remaining, there is still much to play for Austin and his teammates. That list includes WDA regular season and region tournament titles as well as a state tournament berth, and hopefully, a state championship. All within reach.
And winning a state title would be extra special for Andre as it would match an accomplishment of his father, Quinn. He guided the Standing Rock Warriors to the Class B crown in 1998.
Austin’s basketball journey will continue next year when he enrolls at the University of Mary and will play basketball for the Marauders. Competing at the collegiate level is a dream for Andre and wouldn’t have been possible without his passion for playing and dedicating himself to be the best he can be.
“The fact that he has had this much success has not happened by chance,’’ Wilhelm said. “He has earned everything he has gotten.”