Austrie Winning Over Schools

Winning just comes natural to Craig Austrie. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard from Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford, Conn., has done it at the prep level and last weekend, he helped spearhead the efforts for New York Bounce at the Rumble in the Bronx. His winning ways have attracted the interest of several schools, too.

Playing with the Bounce, a team created prior to the loaded Bronx tournament, Austrie and his teammates had only played a quick game of pick up before stepping onto the hardwood as a team. You wouldn’t know it by the way they played, he said.

“We won the Rumble in the Bronx, not a bad start, huh,” Austrie said. “I think I played pretty good, too. It was one of my top tournaments.”

One of his biggest and best games of the summer came against Team Texas, featuring Calvin Miles and Kevin Rogers, two of the top recruits in the country. Austrie scored 22 points in the victory.

His winning pedigree goes back to his high school team, too. At Trinity Catholic, Austrie has two state championship rings to date and he’s hoping to be sized for another one next season. But he’ll have to do it without the help of David McClure, who will be playing at Duke next season.

“I know it’s a big bull’s-eye next year (without McClure),” Austrie said. “People will be gunning for us. They always have. But I have to keep working hard and getting better. I’m trying to perfect my jump shot.”

McClure has been a big help in the recruiting process, Austrie said.

“He’s told me to stay focused and not to get a big head when it comes to recruiting,” the rising senior said. “He told me to keep my options open and just find the best situation.”

Austrie has options right now. He said Pittsburgh, UConn, Massachusetts, Marquette, Florida, Florida State, St. John’s and George Mason have all shown an interest. He’s sporting offers from Massachusetts, where he will visit this weekend, and George Mason. Austrie also said he’d visit St. John’s unofficially on June 26.

“Right now, I’m just taking it slow and going with the flow of things,” he said. “I’m just looking for a school where I can come in a help the program. Obviously, I’d like to play right away, too.”

The combo guard will play at the Nike All-American camp this July. His New York Bounce team will play in Las Vegas and at the Best of Summer event in Los Angeles.