Austin Birley, a 6‑foot‑5 forward at West Valley High School in Yakima, Washington, has earned a scholarship offer from the University of Washington, a milestone that underscores his rapid ascent in the sport.
A Family Steeped in Basketball
The Birley lineage reads like a basketball chronicle. His father, Andy Birley, was a conference MVP in high school and a three‑year starter at Colorado State, where he held the school’s all‑time 3‑point shooting record. Austin’s older brother, Landen Birley, stands as the all‑time leading scorer at West Valley, amassing 1,746 points and a 44‑point game in the Big Sky Conference while playing for Idaho State.
Adding to the family’s court presence, mother Katie Birley played collegiately for Colorado State before meeting Andy. She hails from a fourth‑generation lineage in the Borton Fruit company, a major fruit producer, and grew up alongside uncles, aunts, cousins and a grandfather who all donned college jerseys.
Sophomore Season Highlights
During his sophomore year, Austin posted averages of 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game, earning first‑team All‑Big 9 honors, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, and a WIAA second‑team All‑State selection. He punctuated the season with a 35‑point outburst against Mead and a 20‑point, 10‑assist, 10‑rebound triple‑double versus Moses Lake.
Beyond Washington, the youngster also holds scholarship interest from Colorado State and Seattle University, but the Huskies’ offer marks a pivotal moment for a player hoping to continue a family tradition of collegiate competition.
Looking Ahead
Austin Birley’s commitment reflects more than personal ambition; it signals a continuation of a basketball heritage that has shaped his upbringing. As Yakima celebrates the rare prospect of a local talent earning a Division I scholarship, the community watches eagerly to see how the next generation will build upon the foundation laid by those who came before.