Pitt's Zack Austin Used Video Games to Perfect Shot Blocking
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers transfer Zack Austin isn't particularly big - still 6'6 instead of the 6'4 that he's listed as on College Basketball Reference - but he still managed to block more than two shots per game over his last two seasons at High Point, making him the No. 17 shot-blocker in college basketball last year.
Austin is a tremendous athlete but he credits the shot-blocking abilities that he is bringing to Pitt to a more uncommon training method: his favorite video game, NBA 2K14.
“I play 2K14 on the [Playstation 4] every single day. … I think it’s the best 2K ever, if you ask me. I play MyCareer all the time. If it ever makes it back, I honestly think I’m the best 2K player in the world.”
Austin took his cues from the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr., a two-time All-Defensive team selection and two-time NBA block champion, who also credited NBA 2K with helping him perfect the art of the rejection during his rookie year.
Austin likes to play MyCareer, where he can create a player and train them to achieve really whatever attributes he wants. To do so, he doesn't play particularly tight man-to-man defense. He roams and explores different avenues to time up a block. That kind of court awareness and timing has translated to real life.
“I think it just comes with instincts and then it comes with being around the game. I try to take a little bit from Jaren Jackson," Austin said. "He said - and I thought I was the only one - he said [NBA]2K helped him a lot with blocking shots. The way I play 2K, on my MyCareer, I want to do everything, so I just leave my man and see what’s going to happen and try to make a play.”
Austin said he's Pitt's resident 2K champion. He plays all the time, but it's much more than a way to blow off steam. At least, that's the excuse he uses for now.
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