Brother Martin Basketball Standout to be Inducted into LHSAA Hall of Fame

By: Ron Brocato

Three years after his retirement from a successful 14-year career in the National Basketball Association, Brother Martin's D.J. Augustin '06 will be inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Augustin, who led Brother Martin to back-to-back Class 5A state basketball championships in 2004 and 2005, received the good news via a Zoom call on Friday, August 29th, from Principal Ryan Gallagher, members of the administration, and athletic staff members.

Under the guise of discussing modifications to the gymnasium renovations to which Augustin generously contributed, the school staff members surprised their acclaimed alumnus with the news that a select committee had elected him for induction to their 46th distinguished class, a pleasant surprise to the two-time Class 5A most valuable player.

Augustin will become the sixth individual with ties to the local Brothers of the Sacred Heart school to be honored by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association since the Hall of Fame was created in 1979.

Previous Crusader inductees include:

• John J. Altobello, who coached St. Aloysius to four state basketball and two baseball titles from 1947-1952.
• Bob Conlin, a 203-game winner as coach of the Crusaders’ football programs from 1970-1996, which included a state title in 1971.
• Roy Hoffmann, who starred on offense and defense as a back at St. Aloysius from 1943-1945. He led the city in scoring as a senior with 107 points and continued to compete well into his 70s in Senior Olympics events following a 25-year career as a football official.
• Jack Schommer, one of the most respected track and field coaches and officials in the LHSAA, and a former Brother Martin Athletic director.
• Brother Martin Hernandez, S.C., principal of St. Aloysius High School until 1949, who was part of the group that built Cor Jesu High School, which opened in 1954, and also assisted with the building of schools in Baton Rouge, Dallas, New York City, Mobile, and even a school in Uganda. In the sporting arena, Brother Martin worked with Sugar Bowl founder and Greater New Orleans Sports Hall-of-Famer, Fred Digby, to develop the New Orleans Prep League for Catholic, private, and public schools. He was also a member of the Executive Board of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association as a representative of Catholic, private, and public schools of the New Orleans area.

Their plaques are displayed at the LHSAA office in Baton Rouge.

Augustin, who currently resides in Houston, led the Crusaders to state basketball titles over Catholic League rival St. Augustine, 48-47, in 2004 as a sophomore guard. He followed with a second state trophy a year later via an 86-70 triumph over Thibodaux and earned his second LHSAA Most Valuable Player award.

However, a third championship in his senior year was not to be when Hurricane Katrina forced his family out of New Orleans in 2005. He spent his senior year at Hightower High School in Missouri City, Texas, where he starred on a team that posted a 26-4 record but lost in the playoffs. Still, D.J. earned All-State honors in Texas. More importantly to him, he earned a Brother Martin diploma and participated in a graduation ceremony in Houston, concurrent with receiving his Texas diploma.

Following a two–year career at the University of Texas, with athletic and All-American accolades, he opted to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft.

In 2008, the Charlotte Bobcats selected him as the No. 9 overall pick, and he spent the next 14 years as a point guard for no less than 11 teams, ending his career in 2022 with the Los Angeles Lakers. His career reflects a 9.5 scoring average and 3.9 assists.

In a few years, D.J. Augustin will also be eligible for induction into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.