Milwaukee Bucks: Getting to know new sixth man D.J. Augustin
D.J. Augustin comes to the Milwaukee Bucks after having logged quite a journeyed career around the NBA for more than a decade.
The Milwaukee Bucks were quite busy in free agency this offseason, but no signing proved to be bigger financially than their reported addition of D.J. Augustin.
Having agreed to a three-year deal worth $21 million, with the third year of his deal fully non-guaranteed, the Bucks signed Augustin through their non-taxpaying midlevel exception.
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With the void left behind George Hill, who was included within the massive four-team deal that netted the Bucks veteran guard Jrue Holiday, Augustin is expected to occupy a similar role to Hill, potentially as the Bucks’ sixth man next season.
Over his various stops around the league, Augustin has shown to be a viable contributor, especially with a Bucks team that holds title aspirations.
But how did Augustin get to Milwaukee and enjoyed such a long and successful career that has been rife with changes and many stints? Let’s dive into the long journey Augustin has taken that has now led to being one of many new Bucks this offseason.
Reflecting on D.J. Augustin’s time at the University of Texas
Augustin has long been in the consciousness of the NBA, well before he stepped foot into the league.
The New Orleans native had fashioned himself into being a high-profile recruit during his time at Brother Martin High School in the Crescent City where he also won pair of state championships. But before Augustin was able to finish out his time in New Orleans going into his senior season, Hurricane Katrina had devastated the city and the lives of millions, Augustin’s included.
The massive storm displaced Augustin and his family to Houston, Texas and Augustin recalled living through such a turbulent period in he and his family’s life to John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com back in February of 2017:
"“Watching it on the news, we didn’t know what was truly going on. Cell phones weren’t working and we couldn’t get back into the city because they wouldn’t let anybody back in. It was just like a waiting game, and we were forced to watch it on the news like everybody else,’’ Augustin recalled. “A lot of those people (stranded in New Orleans) were friends and family that stayed and we didn’t know if they made it out. Watching it on the news and seeing your city underwater, that’s tough to see. It was hard to deal with for a long time.’’"
In nearby Missouri City, Texas, Augustin finished out his high school career at Hightower High School. It also led to him choosing to go to Texas University where he would come to Austin with plenty of fanfare, especially as he was in the same class as future MVP and two-time NBA champion, Kevin Durant.
Augustin brought his sizzling shooting and precise playmaking to the Longhorns, but it was after his brilliant sophomore season, where he averaged 19.2 points per game on.439/.381/.783 shooting splits and 5.8 assists per game where he took the plunge and entered the NBA. That was after being a consensus All-American and the winner of the Bob Cousy award in 2008.
Little did Augustin know that his time in the NBA would be as fraught with ups and downs as it was for him to reach the league.