This feature is part of a series profiling the seven members of the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023. This year's class will be inducted during ceremonies on Sept. 23 as part of the inaugural Flames Fest weekend at UIC.
 
By Chris Masters, UIC Senior Associate Athletics Director – External Operations
 
Throughout the lengthy history of men's basketball at UIC, few players have enjoyed more consistent success than Josh Mayo. A 6-foot-5 guard from Merrillville, Ind., Mayo was one of most prolific scorers in program history, helping the Flames to three winning seasons in his four-year career and earning induction into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
Mayo will be the 24^th member of the UIC men's basketball program to be enshrined in the Hall and the first individual inductee since Cedric Banks in 2013.
 
"It means a lot to be part of the Hall of Fame," Mayo said. "I'm grateful to even be in the position to have that honor. It means so much to me.
 
"At UIC, we stand for something," he added. "It's one of the best academic schools around, and being a Flame means being part of more than just a sport — it's a lifestyle."
 
For the current UIC men's basketball staff, Mayo's induction is a huge honor for the program.
 
"I am incredibly excited for Josh's induction into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame," said UIC men's basketball head coach Luke Yaklich. "He truly represents everything it means to be part of our program, both athletically and academically."
 
Mayo's former collegiate coaches were amazed with his work both on and off the court.
 
"Josh is one of the five best guards in UIC basketball history and one of the top 10 or 15 players at any position ever to play at UIC," said Denny Wills, who served as assistant men's basketball coach at UIC from 1987-96 before moving into an administrative role from 1997-2017. "Josh is also a Hall of Fame person and a fine young man, besides being a tremendous player."
 
Mayo was one of the Flames' most reliable threats during his career at UIC from 2005-09. He missed only six games in his four-year career, starting 111 of 121 games and averaging nearly 32 minutes per night. Nearly 15 years after his final game, Mayo still ranks among the top five in school history in four career categories — free throw percentage (2^nd - .854), free throws made (2^nd - 398), three-point field goals made (2^nd - 266) and total points (4^th – 1,718).
 
Mayo was twice chosen as an All-Horizon League First Team selection and captured five Horizon League Player of the Week awards during his career. As a senior in 2008-09, he was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 12 Second Team.
 
"Josh was a special offensive player," said former UIC assistant men's basketball coach Mark Coomes, who worked closely with Mayo during his career. "He could handle the ball, shoot and pass. He was just so hard to guard, and that's the most important thing in a basketball player."
 
When looking back at his collegiate career, Mayo felt his skill set was unique.
 
"I would consider myself a dynamic player," Mayo said. "I tried to do a little bit of everything. Of course, I excelled at shooting, but I really prided myself on being a team guy."
 
After earning his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and exercise science from UIC in 2009, Mayo embarked on a lengthy professional career in Europe, playing for 12 teams in seven countries. Among his professional highlights were three All-Star selections, three championships (two Italian Cups and a Serie A2 league title) and setting the record for most three-pointers in one season in Germany's first division league, the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).
 
Mayo retired from professional basketball in 2021 and now makes his home in Dallas, where he is a benefits and planning consultant. Married to his high school sweetheart, Meisha, the couple has two children — daughter Maya and son Josh Jr.