ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association mourns the passing today of St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist and former USBWA president Bryan Burwell.

Burwell

"Bryan Burwell was a true gentleman and a professional," said USBWA President Dana O'Neil of ESPN.com. "A gifted writer, he was insightful, articulate and always measured and thoughtful. You learned something when you read his column.

"But as wonderful as he was as a journalist, Bryan was an even better man. He was kind and helpful, incredibly giving of his time, and always a joy to be around. Those of us who had the pleasure to know him, enjoyed hearing of his tales, and reveled in the way he told them.

"Our profession has lost a giant of a journalist and an incredible person. He will be missed."

Burwell was president of the USBWA in 2010-11.