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PROVO — BYU junior forward Nate Austin has become one of the Cougars' most consistent players this season. While only averaging 4.1 points per game, Austin's rebounding has provided a huge lift to his team, and it isn't going unnoticed.
"The thing about Nate is that he's kind of always been in a role spot," BYU head coach Dave Rose said. "He's taken that to where he's become a star in that role position because what he does is really good for this team. We've been able to really count on him."
Through 26 games, Austin leads BYU in rebounding at 8.4 boards per contest. In Saturday night's win over San Francisco, Austin grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds. In fact, he has more than 10 rebounds in seven games this year.
During his three years in Provo, Austin's scoring average has hovered right around 4.0, but his rebounding has increased in all three seasons. From 3.8 as a freshman to 4.6 as a sophomore, Austin's 8.4 average this season isn't by accident.
"I actually wanted to average 10 rebounds a game, so I'm not quite there," he said prior to Saturday's game against the Dons. "As long as we're winning, as long as we're getting rebounds, that's what matters most, but I definitely want to be the leading rebounder on the team."
Sometimes players have a hard time accepting their roles, but that hasn't been the case for the former Lone Peak Knight. Austin has embraced his role and it's paying off for the Cougars.
"What we're realizing this year is that in order to make a team, guys have to sacrifice things," Austin said. "Whether it's shooting, whether it's minutes guys have to sacrifice their talents, their abilities to make a team and that's what guys are doing this year."
While BYU isn't relying on Austin to score this season, he has provided a lift offensively in several games. His season-high 12 points came in the Cougars' road win at Stanford earlier this season, and he's scored at least six points in nine of BYU's games.
Something that doesn't get talked about enough with players is durability, and he is definitely durable. Despite chipping a tooth earlier in the year, suffering an ankle injury in conference play, and numerous other ailments, Austin has played and started every game for BYU this season. The only other player on the team to do that is Kyle Collinsworth.
With five games remaining before the West Coast Conference Tournament in Las Vegas, BYU needs everyone contributing in order to finish the season strong. Based on Austin's play, fans can guarantee that he'll be willing to do whatever the team needs in order to win.
