CHICAGO – UIC men's basketball head coach Luke Yaklich announced Wednesday the signing of Phoenix, Ariz. native Andrew King to join the program beginning in the 2023-24 season. The announcement comes as the first new addition to the recruiting class following the 2022-23 season. King comes to UIC after playing his freshman year at Houston Christian, a member of the Southland Conference.
 

"We are excited to welcome Andrew King into our men's basketball family," commented head coach Luke Yaklich. "Andrew had an outstanding freshman season for Houston Christian. He was one of the top freshmen in the country in assists, and plays with a competitive spirit and unselfishness that will undoubtedly help our team on both ends of the floor. Andrew is a Dean's List student who will major in criminal justice."
 
King appeared in 28 games for Houston Christian in 2022-23, averaging over 30 minutes per contest. The freshman made his way into the starting lineup after two consecutive double-digit scoring games at Missouri and home against Denver. After entering the starting lineup on Dec. 4, King tallied 11 double digit scoring games in his 17 starts, shooting over 40 percent from the field on the season. He set a new career-high in scoring in a Feb. 2 loss to Northwestern State, leading all Huskies scorers with 17 in the game.
 
King spent his senior season of high school at Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz. playing for coach Mike Smitt. He averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game as a senior. A perennial honor student, King played club basketball for Arizona Select and coach John Ortega.