By Blake Buswell
Along with all of the privileges that come with having a high-profile sports dad, there is a downside. BYU point guard Austin Ainge found that out in major way when he came to play basketball here just like his dad Danny, who had a legendary collegiate career.
Danny won the 1981 John Wooden Award given to the most outstanding college player in the country.
Danny led the Cougars to the Elite Eight his senior year.
Danny was the first basketball player to have his number (22) retired at BYU.
Danny set an NCAA record with 112 consecutive games scoring in double digits.
Danny was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in baseball, and the Boston Celtics in basketball after his time at BYU.
Austin choose to play collegiate basketball at the same school as his dad and has had an extra spotlight on him ever since. Austin quickly noticed that a lot of people want to talk to him about his dad.
'When I first got here that, is all people wanted to talk to me about,' he said. 'They really didn''t care much about what I was trying to do here.'
'It just gets a little old having everyone want to talk to me about my dad, but it really is nothing major,' he added. 'By now, most people have done that story, so it only comes up now when we are on the road at a city we have never been to.'
With all of the accolades that his dad got for his basketball career, Austin has not let it affect his game.
'I don''t know what people expect from me,' he said. 'I don''t let it bother me that my dad had such a successful career here. I just go out there and do all I can to do my best.'
Danny Ainge is still in the national basketball spotlight as he is the Executive Director of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics in the NBA. He has been in that position for almost four years.
In this role, Danny spends a lot of time scouting young basketball talent most of the year, and it is rumored that Danny can be found at BYU games watching Austin more than he watches Celtics games.
BYU coach Dave Rose has seen Austin mature as a player and is impressed with how Austin has dealt with the extra attention his last name brings.
'He has embraced the extra attention,' Rose said. 'He has done a great job creating his own identity as a player. He has been able to turn all the attention he has gotten from his dad playing here into a positive thing.'
Austin started in the point guard position in the last 16 games and has been averaging 25 minutes a game this season. This is an increased role from last year, when he only started four games and averaged barely over 14 minutes a game.
One reason for the extra playing time is the team''s loss of Rashaun Broadus, due to suspension in January. Ainge and Broadus shared the responsibility of running the point, but that has now fallen squarely on Ainge''s shoulders.
'Austin has been there the whole season, even when Rashaun was on the team,' forward Keena Young said. 'Austin was the one to come in and hit big threes, so Austin has been there all year.'
Austin has found ways to fight through adversity and make the best of each situation.
'Adversity seems to bother less than the average person,' guard Jimmy Balderson said. 'All the added attention has made him tougher. We all admire how he is able to deal with the extra attention he gets because of his dad.'
Austin''s level head is something he gained from watching his dad in his playing days.
'After a bad game and losing to Michael Jordan in the NBA Finals a couple of times, a lot of guys get really depressed,' Austin said. 'When you have things in perspective, it''s a lot easier.'
As a second-year captain, Austin''s teammates have looked to him as a floor general and for leadership for a while.
'I feel a part of my job is to help my teammates know where they should be on the floor,' Austin said. 'I like to feel that I am an extension of the coaches out on the floor.'
Austin''s statistical numbers have reflected his big role in his team''s success this year. He is leading the team in assists this season averaging, 4.28 a game. He has also led BYU with 48 3-pointers made this season.
'Austin has been a huge part of our success this season,' Rose said. 'He is a great competitor, and I think that is obvious with how he carries himself out on the court.'
Off the court, life seemed to slow down a little for Austin, as he only has one class this semester and is the proud father of a one-year-old son named Andre. This is his last semester here at BYU, and Austin plans on getting into coaching basketball after he graduates.
Even though Austin will be leaving BYU soon, as he stays in the basketball arena he will always have to answer questions about his dad -- Danny.