NBA standout DJ Augustin continues to give back to Brother Martin, New Orleans

Time given to others is time well spent.

While many of us perhaps parcel out our time and talent to some entities we perhaps wish we had not gotten involved with, that notion is nothing of the sort for DJ Augustin.

While he resides and plays elsewhere, Augustin will always come home again.

Home is at Brother Martin High School and in the city of New Orleans.

Augustin is in the midst of finishing off his 10th annual basketball camp at Brother Martin High School.

“We definitely wanted to do this, especially back home in my city,” Augustin said. “Brother Martin is my high school. We want to continue doing it for a long time and build a legacy. There’s all kinds of kids here. The ultimate goal is for the kids to come out and have fun. I’m hands-on with the kids.”

As a freshman in 2003, Augustin helped Brother Martin to the Class 5A final, falling 80-63 to Woodlawn of Baton Rouge.

As a sophomore in 2004, Augustin and the Crusaders took the next step as Brother Martin downed Catholic League rival St. Augustine 48-47 for the 5A state title.

As a junior in 2005, Augustin led Brother Martin to a second consecutive championship, whipping Thibodaux 86-70.

With a chance at a three-peat clearly within reach, Hurricane Katrina intervened and Augustin and his family relocated to Texas and he played his senior season at Hightower High in Missouri City, TX where he was named a McDonald’s All-American. Augustin still earned his diploma from Brother Martin.

“We had some great times here,” Augustin said. “Unfortunately, Katrina hit and it changed everybody’s lives. Everything happens for a reason. It made me a better person. I wish we could have got those four championships here.”

After two brilliant seasons at Texas, Augustin declared himself eligible for the NBA draft and he was selected ninth overall in the first round by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Since that time, Augustin has played for eight NBA teams, including Charlotte, Indiana, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Denver and Orlando, where he will enter his fourth season in 2019-2020. It is also the final year of his contract with the Magic.

Despite being looked at as being too small and even frail by some, Augustin has proven all of the doubters wrong in 11 solid seasons at the highest level. His career numbers include 9.8 points and four assists per game while shooting a solid 38 percent from 3-point range and 86 percent from the free throw line.

The Magic ended a drought, making the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season last season, posting a 42-40 record, their first winning season since 2011-12 as well.

“We have our same team coming back so it’s exciting for us coming up,” Augustin said. “Hopefully, we can go further in the playoffs this year and do some exciting things. The fans have been great. They’ve been dying for us to get back in the playoffs and after last season, they’re ecstatic and they can’t wait for the season to start this year.”

Augustin proved that age is relative last season.

Though he will turn 32 in November, Augustin has aged well.

In the 2018-19 season, Augustin averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 assists, starting all 81 games he played in. He was durable, missing just one game. The scoring was his best output since the 2013-14 season while the assist average was third best in his 11 seasons. Augustin shot a career-best 47 percent from the floor and 42 percent from 3-point range, second only to his rookie season. He started all five playoff games in the loss to Milwaukee and averaged 12.8 points per contest.

Augustin has been an asset everywhere he has been and he hopes to remain one for more than the duration of his current contract. It is a challenge at his age, playing point guard against lightning fast, younger players. How does DJ do it?

“Just take care of my body, that’s the biggest thing now that I’m getting further in my career,” Augustin said. “I’ll do basketball later on. I’ll wait to the season is about to begin to start that stuff. It is just maintaining, eating right, taking care of my body and that’s the way I’m going to last.”

Augustine hopes to play well beyond next season after his contract expires.

“I love Orlando,” Augustin said. “Hopefully, I can be back in Orlando, but as far as my playing career, another four or five years and I’m going to wrap it up. I think it’s time then. I’ll be 35 or 36 and just spend time with my family.”

While Augustin is an asset to the Magic and the NBA, he remains a bigger asset to his family, along with his birthplace and the school he loved and earned a diploma from.

Augustin has advice for youth, high school and college players who aspire to play in the NBA.

“Self motivation, man, don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something,” Augustin said. “Believe in yourself, work hard every day and everything else will come. Have that self motivation.”