CHICAGO (Nov. 20, 2024) – The UIC men's basketball program announced Wednesday the signing of three gifted prep student-athletes who have committed to join the Flames for the 2025-26 season.
Nano Barrantes, Andy Johnson and
Rashund Washington Jr. will be the newest members of a UIC squad that is off to a 3-1 start this season under first-year head coach
Rob Ehsan.
"We are very excited about this class," Ehsan said. "They are all great fits for our program and will address some of our roster needs, not only for the 2025-26 season, but for years to come. Each of them brings positional size and the skill to fit how we want to play."
Nano Barrantes | 6-9 | 205 | F | Des Moines, Iowa | Grand View Christian HS | Iowa United
Ehsan on Barrantes: "Nano is extremely versatile for his size at 6-9, both with his ability to shoot the 3-ball and his scoring on the block."
Prep/Personal: Ranked as the No. 3 player in the state of Iowa's Class of 2025 and one of the country's top 60 power forwards, both according to 247Sports … top returning scorer in the state of Iowa for his senior season and a leading candidate for Iowa Player of the Year honors … as a junior at Grand View Christian in 2023-24, earned all-state honors after averaging 27.4 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting .610 from the field and .358 from the three-point line … scored 45 points (22-29 FG) and grabbed 29 rebounds in a Dec. 2023 win at Stanton … during his sophomore season (2022-23), averaged 12.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game with a .564 field-goal percentage, helping Grand View Christian to a perfect 27-0 season and the Iowa Class 1A state championship … appeared in nearly every game as a reserve during his freshman year, averaging 4.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game with a .636 field-goal percentage as Grand View Christian went 26-1 and advanced to the Class 1A title game … also excelled on the AAU circuit with Iowa United, most recently during the July 2024 3Stripes Select Basketball (3SSB) Tournament, when he averaged 20.3 points and 7.0 rebounds with a .550 field-goal percentage and .477 three-point percentage over six games, including 36 points (12-19 FG, 9-15 3FG) in one of his final tournament games.
Andy Johnson | 6-5 | 180 | G | Union, Ky. | Cooper HS | Kentucky Hoop Dreams
Ehsan on Johnson: "Andy is a three-level scorer at 6-5, who also possesses a great feel for the game."
Prep/Personal: Ranked as the No. 6 player in the state of Kentucky's Class of 2025 and one of the country's top 100 wings, as rated by 247Sports … helped Cooper to district championships and regional runner-up finishes the past two seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24) … as a junior in 2023-24, averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and shot .362 from three-point range, despite missing more than half the season with a wrist injury … during his sophomore season, averaged 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game … a two-sport standout as a freshman at Cooper, where he played baseball (pitcher and utility player) … competed with the Kentucky Hoop Dreams AAU program.
Rashund Washington Jr. | 6-5 | 185 | G | Dublin, Ga. | East Laurens HS | Southern Kings
Ehsan on Washington: "Rashund is a highlight-reel athlete who also has great ball skills for his size at 6-5."
Prep/Personal: Averaging 16.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game with a .477 field-goal percentage during his three varsity seasons to date at East Laurens … has scored in double figures 68 times in his career, with 25 games of 20-plus points and four 30-point performances … has collected 11 double-doubles in his three-year prep career … as a junior in 2023-24, averaged career highs of 19.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, along with seven double-doubles and 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals per night — also scored in double figures 26 times with 11 20-point games and three 30-point outings … during his sophomore season (2022-23), logged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game, with 22 double-digit scoring games (eight 20-point and one 30-point contests), plus three double-doubles … as a freshman in 2021-22, averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, with 20 double-figure scoring games (six 20-point outings) and one double-double … also shone on the AAU level for Southern Kings.
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