By Herman B. Ward, Jr., Associate Editor
Sumter County Commissioners unanimously agreed to pass a resolution in honor of Mario Austin for his outstand accomplishments. The resolution was adopted at the Commissioners meeting Monday, February 9.
Commissioner Tommie Armistead offered the motion and pointed out that Austin was an outstanding basketball player at Sumter High School and Mississippi State University, and was the first young man from York to be drafted in the second round, number 36 overall by the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls in 2003.
“Austin was a great athlete, and he has done some other outstanding things during his basketball career as well as right now, and we should recognize him for all he has done,” Armistead said.
Armistead suggested that Mario Austin’s photo and some of his accomplishments be framed and displayed in a public area owned by the county.
Commissioners recognized Austin for his achievements as a McDonald’s All-American, his standout collegiate career at Mississippi State University and his selection in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.
At Mississippi State, the 6-foot-9 forward became one of the Southeastern Conference’s top players, earning All-SEC honors and helping lead the Bulldogs during his three-year collegiate career. In 2003, he was selected 36th overall in the NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, a milestone that brought national attention to his small hometown.
Though he did not appear in a regular-season NBA game, Austin built a lengthy and successful professional career overseas, playing in international leagues across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Austin’s high school career at Sumter County High made him one of the most highly recruited players in the nation at the time. His rise from the local gym in York to major college arenas, and eventually professional courts overseas, remains one of the county’s most notable athletic success stories.
Austin’s recognition served not only as a celebration of past accomplishments but also as a reminder of the deep ties Austin maintains to the community. Commissioners said his willingness to return home and stay connected speaks volumes about his character.
For Sumter County, the honor was about more than basketball. It was about recognizing a hometown son whose journey began on familiar hardwood floors and carried the name of York, Alabama, around the world.