The Loyola High School (Calif.) senior has survived two plane crashes eight years apart that killed both of his parents and two siblings, with the second crash coming two-and-a-half years ago.
Earlier this week, he said that he felt "blessed" that he was able to continue to play basketball in honor of his family. That alone is an inspirational story, but there is so much more to it.
Hatch and his pilot father survived his first plane crash eight years ago, but his mother, brother and sister died. Back in 2011, Hatch verbally committed to play for the Wolverines. However, tragedy struck just 10 days after he committed when he and his parents were flying a plane to their summer home.
His father and stepmother were killed after their plane crashed into a garage inCharlevoix, Michigan. Austin survived, but he had a severe head injury, a broken collarbone, punctured lung and fractured ribs.
Hatch spent eight weeks in a medically induced coma. He made a big change this summer when he moved from Indiana to California to live with his uncle and guardian, Michael Hatch. The move allowed him to be part of "superior rehabilitation opportunities."Now that he has survived two plane crashes, he has learned from his experiences.
Basketball put him on the map. As a sophomore at Canterbury High School (Fort Wayne, Ind.), he averaged 23.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Major schools started to show interest in him."Basketball is just a game, and I understand that I have bigger goals in life," Hatch said. "My academics come first.
Basketball has always been second for me, but basketball has given me something to shoot for."Michigan was one of the schools interested in him, and he and his dad picked it because of its academics.
Wolverines coach John Beilein has stuck with Hatch through everything.
He will give the 6'6" shooting guard, who Rivals ranks as a 3-star prospect, every opportunity to contribute. Michigan finished as the national runner-up to Louisville in last season's NCAA tournament.
Hatch saw it as a fulfilling day when he finally signed his letter of intent."Signing with the University of Michigan has been a goal of mine since I basically woke up from my coma," Hatch said.
"Last week, it was kind of surreal to actually see my name on that dotted line. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to be in that position."
Although he signed a letter of intent, he still has to work his way onto the court. He plans to play for Loyola this seaso
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