CHICAGO – UIC redshirt sophomore Dikembe Dixson has declared his intention to pursue a career in professional basketball. He will not be with the Flames when they open the 10^th CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) at the UIC Pavilion tonight against the Saint Francis Red Flash at 7 p.m.
 
"Dikembe has done everything that has been asked of him, and more, since the day he arrived on campus," said UIC head coach Steve McClain. "He was one of the first people to commit here and truly buy in to what we wanted to do at UIC. Dikembe is a huge part of the group that has been instrumental in changing our culture and elevating this program back to a level that it has not been at in a long time. We wish him great success in the pursuit of his professional career."
 
"Being able to put on a UIC jersey has been a dream come true for me," said Dixson. "I want to thank all of coaches, teammates and the staff members in academic services and athletic training, especially, who have worked hard over the last three years to help me grow as a player and a person.
 
"As I continue to chase my dreams and prepare for the next chapter of my basketball life, I am proud of everything that my teammates and I accomplished together on the court, and the work I have put in toward a degree in Human Development and Learning in the College of Education," said Dixson. "And though I am leaving the university at this time, it is definitely my intention to finish the work necessary to graduate from UIC someday."
 
Dixson started all 72 games he played since arriving in 2015. He was the unanimous choice as the Horizon League Freshman of the Year in 2016, while also earning Second Team All-League honors. His second season was off to a sensational start, averaging more than 20 points and six rebounds per game, before suffering a torn ACL in UIC's 10^th game of that season. In the first nine full games that Dixson played, he scored at least 31 points three times.
 
The Matewan, W. Va., native successfully rehabilitated and rejoined the Flames in time for the start of the 2017-18 campaign. Dixson led UIC with 14.2 points per game in the regular season and conference tournament this year. He led the team in steals (40) and minutes per game (29.7), as well. Dixson helped the Flames to win 12 Horizon League games for the first time since 2004, while finishing in the top three in the League standings for only the sixth time in program history, and the first in 14 years.
 
Dixson ends his UIC career with 1,250 points, which ranks 13^th on the program's all-time scoring list. His 594 points as a freshman in 2015-16 set the Horizon League record for first-year players and was the seventh-best single-season total in Flames history. He also holds the records for free throws made (169) and attempted (256) in a single season (2015-16).