Nov. 13, 2014
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF BURAK ESLIK
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF DREW HACKETT
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF GARRETT BYE
CHICAGO - UIC head men's basketball coach Howard Moore announced the addition of three players to the Flames' 2015-16 roster on Thursday, Nov. 13. The trio of newcomers includes junior college transfer Burak Eslik (G, 6-4, 185, Istanbul, Turkey/Lewis and Clark CC) and soon-to-be freshmen Drew Hackett (G, 6-2, 170, Munster, Ind./Munster HS) and Garrett Bye (F/C, 6-10, 210, Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs).
"We are very excited about these three young men," said Moore. "We feel that each player fits within what we are trying to accomplish. I would like to thank my staff for their hard work in recruiting next generation Flames. Our evaluation efforts continue to be on-going as we look to the future of UIC basketball."
Eslik will have two years of college basketball experience under his belt when he joins the Flames after playing for Lewis and Clark Community College. The native of Istanbul, Turkey averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for the Trailblazers last season. He scored in double digits in 26 of his 31 contests and recorded five games with 20 or more points. During the 2013-14 season, Lewis and Clark was under the direction of current UIC assistant coach Deon Thomas. Eslik played his senior year of high school at Fayetteville Christian in North Carolina where he averaged 23.5 points per game and was voted All-Conference. The combo guard also competed on the U16 Turkey national team.
"Burak is fearless," said Moore. "He is the kind of guy who wants to defend the best opposing player and is not afraid to attack the basket. He has a really high basketball IQ and he will be ready to go as soon as he steps on campus."
Hackett comes to UIC after helping Munster High School compile a 62-10 overall record during the last three seasons and stay undefeated in conference play. He currently ranks No. 11 on the program's career scoring list with 896 points and is on pace to shatter the current school record. Hackett had a stellar junior year with the Mustangs as he averaged 18.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Hoosier Basketball Magazine named Hackett a first team All-State honoree, while also earning All-Area, All-Conference and team MVP laurels. The three-time conference champion led Munster to a sectional title during the 2012-13 season in route to a No. 1 ranking in the final Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) poll. Hackett is the son of 15-year Munster head coach Mike Hackett.
"Drew is another extremely smart basketball player," said Moore. "He will have the chance to compete for playing time right away at both the one and two guard spots. He is a tremendous shooter and I expect he will smoothly transition into the college game."
Bye, a 6-foot-10 forward/center, will add tremendous size and depth to UIC's frontcourt. He will join Jake Wiegand, Jason McClellan and Tai Odiase in the post next season. Bye participates on the AAU circuit for High Altitude Basketball.
"The sky is the limit for Garrett," said Moore. "He is a solid athlete with great instincts for rebounding and blocking shots. I think Garrett's offensive game will improve dramatically under the watch of Deon Thomas. He sees UIC as a program on the rise."
The Flames commence regular season action on Friday at DePaul inside McGrath-Phillips Arena at 9 p.m. CT.
List of Newcomers for 2015-16 Season Burak Eslik - Jr., G, 6-4, 185 (Istanbul, Turkey/Lewis and Clark CC)
Drew Hackett - Fr., G, 6-2, 170 (Munster, Ind./Munster)
Garrett Bye - Fr., F/C, 6-10, 210 (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs)
