Austin Hatch’s basketball career took another turn on Monday, as Michigan announced that he will be taking a medical redshirt and continuing his basketball career as a undergraduate student assistant.
“Basketball has always been a huge part of my life, however, it is what I play, not who I am,” said Hatch in a statement released by the team. “It was a goal of mine to return to the game that I love so much and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to play for Michigan. After all that I have been through, it was a dream come true for me to put on a Michigan jersey and get into a game at Crisler Center.”
“As I have progressed through this first season, I know that I am not where I want to be, both academically and athletically. My priority is academics and I feel that it is in my best interest to devote more time to my studies. This decision honors my father, and it is something that I know he would agree with and be proud of me for making.”
By now you likely know Hatch’s story. He’s a two-time survivor of small plane crashes that took the life of his entire immediate family. After spending months in a coma following a crash in 2011, Hatch worked his way back into basketball shape and eventually took the floor for Michigan this season.