Michigan freshman who survived 2 plane crashes sinks first college shot

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (KGO) -- It was just one shot in an exhibition basketball game, but it meant so much more for one University of Michigan player on Monday night.

Freshman Austin Hatch missed the first of two free throws before sinking the second shot with 12 seconds remaining in Ann Arbor. That simple free throw brought fans to their feet.

The point was meaningless, because the Wolverines won by 43. But it's what it symbolized that meant so much.

The 20-year-old has survived two plane crashes. The first in 2003 killed his mother and two siblings. The second in 2011 killed his father and stepmom. His father, Dr. Stephen Hatch, was the pilot both times.

This game was the first time he played at Michigan since accepting a scholarship, just 10 days before the last crash.

Hatch's teammates and coach John Beilein hugged him afterward.

"Coach B told me with about five minutes left in the game, 'Austin, stay loose, and we are going to get you in there,' so I did my best to stay loose and when he called my number I was ready," Hatch said. "Fortunately, I went in there and had an opportunity to make a foul shot. It was pretty special."

Beilein added, "The transition that he's still going through right now is not easy. And it's just every day we say -- let's just do today. And he smiles and he's happy to be at Michigan and that certainly was a great moment for him in his career, and his time as a student athlete."

The crash in 2011 left Hatch in a coma for two months, and he didn't step on the basketball court again until last Jan.

But Michigan, to their credit, did not give up on him; they honored his scholarship, and Hatch rewarded them with a memory that will certainly last a lifetime.

"I don't want to be known by the time my career comes to an end here as just 'a cool story,'" said Hatch, who grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but went to live with his uncle in Southern California in 2013. "Obviously what happened to me is kind of unique, but that is what happened. That is not who I am. That is a big part of my life, but I am about moving forward and making the most of my experience here."

Beilein said Hatch had two looks at a jump shot but turned them down "for the team" before getting fouled.

"We don't know how often we're going to get him in a game this year, but anytime we can get him in during a situation like that, we're going to get him in," Beilein said.

Caris LeVert led Michigan with 16 points, while Michael Lewis led the Warriors with 15.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.