Earl Austin Jr. has been covering basketball at all levels in the St. Louis metropolitan area for 30 years. He is an award-winning sportswriter and a fixture on local radio and television shows in St. Louis. Earl Austin Jr. has been covering basketball at all levels in the St. Louis metropolitan area for 30 years. He is an award-winning sportswriter and a fixture on local radio and television shows in St. Louis. Earl is currently the sports editor of the St. Louis American, the top African-American newspaper in the United States. He is also beginning his 25th season as the radio color analyst for the Saint Louis University men’s basketball program. He is also a historian who has published books and produced DVD’s on St. Louis basketball history. He maintains his passion for hoops as he tracks the young talent in the Show-Me State on a year-around basis. Earl played collegiate basketball in Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. A 1986 graduate, he is still the school’s career scoring leader. Earl was inducted into the Lindenwood Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He had his jersey retired in 2014.