CHICAGO – Taking advantage of the NCAA's one-time rule in response to COVID-19, Jamie Ahale and Michael Diggins have both accepted the additional year of eligibility to return to the Flames for the 2021-22 season.
 
Diggins will be entering his fifth season with the Flames, having appeared in all 125 games, to go along with 61 starts, in his four-year career. The Las Vegas, Nevada native is UIC's active career leader in points, free throws, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, and will be on pace entering next season to become UIC's 27^th member of the 1,000-point club.
 
Ahale will be entering his fourth season with the Flames after spending his freshman season at Mineral Area College. The native of Montrose, Australia, is UIC's active leader in 3-point field goals, having connected on 83 long balls throughout his three years.
 
The duo combined to score 385 points last year and accounted for over 25% of the Flames' scoring a season ago.