Eastern Illinois men's basketball coach Marty Simmons has added another piece to next year's roster with the addition of wing Andrew Austin.
 
Austin (6'7", 220) played last season at Des Moines Area CC earning second team All-Region honors as a freshman on a team that posted a 29-5 record and advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament.  Austin averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game with 22 double figure scoring games.  He connected for 39.2 percent from 3-point range including knocking down 8-of-12 from behind the arc in the Region II semifinals when he scored 30 points.  He redshirted his freshman season at DMACC in 2023-24.
 
"Austin is a long, athletic player that has the ability to shoot the ball from outside in addition to playing down low in the block when needed," said Simmons.  "I think he has a body, and a skill set that will translate well to playing at Eastern Illinois and in the OVC.  We are excited to get him on campus and be part of our basketball family."
 
Austin is from Rock Rapids, Iowa playing his high school basketball at Central Lyon High School.  In addition to his success in basketball, Austin earned high school letters in football, baseball and track.  He helped lead Central Lyon to the 2023 Iowa Class 2A State Championship with the team posting a 24-1 record as a senior.  Austin was a team captain and earned All-Tournament honors. 
 
He joins incoming high school players Luke Beickman (6'2", 180, G, Owensboro, Ky.) and Markus Blackwell (6'1", 180, G, Detroit, Mich.) along with transfer post player Nazareth Fisher (6'10", 220, F, Washington, D.C.), transfer guard Andre Washington (5'11", 180, G, Staten Island, NY) and junior college guards JT Elder (6'7", 200, G, Tucson, Ariz.), Preston Turner (6'6", 185, G, Ellsinore, Mo.) and Demetris "Meechie" White (6'1", 175, G, Louisville, Ky.) as part of the Panthers 2025-26 class.