CHICAGO (April 24, 2026) – For the second time in as many days, the UIC men's basketball program is welcoming another key piece to its 2026-27 roster through the transfer portal, as head coach Rob Ehsan announced Friday the addition of redshirt junior forward Lucas Scroggins (Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton/Bosco Institute/Valparaiso/Saint Peter's) for the upcoming season. Scroggins is the fourth newcomer to sign with UIC for 2026-27, joining redshirt junior guard Gabe Cupps and the incoming freshman duo of forward Dikembe Shaw and guard Elijah Garrett.
 
"Lucas is a dynamic frontcourt addition who impacts the game on both ends," Ehsan said. "He's an above-the-rim finisher who brings great energy offensively and his ability as an elite rebounder and rim protector gives us a strong presence inside. What really excites us is Lucas' mobility — he runs the floor, defends in space and fits exactly how we want to play. He will also add a great blend of toughness, versatility and experience to our program."
 
A 6-foot-9, 215-pound post, Scroggins comes to Chicago's College Team after attending Saint Peter's University last season and starting his career at UIC's fellow Missouri Valley Conference member Valparaiso. During his two collegiate seasons, Scroggins has played in 33 games, starting 15 times, and has averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game with a .700 field-goal percentage. The Virginia native showed significant growth last year at Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) runner-up Saint Peter's, averaging 5.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 27 games with three double-doubles, a .673 field-goal percentage and seven games with multiple blocked shots. He ranked sixth in the MAAC in blocks and 19^th in rebounds, rankings that rose even higher during conference play, when he was third in field-goal percentage (.663), fifth in blocks (1.3 bpg.) and 10^th in rebounding (6.6 rpg.). Most notably, he posted near double-doubles and went a combined 9-of-11 from the floor in the Peacocks' two matchups with eventual MAAC champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Siena. He was also a standout in the classroom, earning a spot on the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
 
Scroggins spent two years at Valparaiso, redshirting his first season (2023-24) and then appearing in six games in his second campaign, averaging 3.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while making all nine of his shots from the floor. In his home debut for the Beacons, he was 6-of-6 shooting and scored 12 points in a victory over Concordia (Mich.), the first Valpo player in five years to go perfect from the field with a minimum of six attempts.
 
Scroggins graduated from C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Va., in 2022, averaging 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as a senior to earn first-team all-district honors. He then spent an additional prep season at Bosco Institute in Crown Point, Ind., logging 12.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
 
UIC is coming off a 19-win season and a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference, capped off by a trip to the 2026 NIT (National Invitation Tournament), the school's first berth in that elite event since 2003, and the Flames' first-ever appearance in the MVC Tournament championship game. UIC also posted its highest overall KenPom rating since 2004 (No. 110) and highest defensive efficiency mark since 2008 (No. 91), along with its highest-ever NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) ranking at No. 115. What's more, during Ehsan's first two years at UIC, the Flames have collected eight Quad 1 & 2 wins, the second-most in the MVC, as well as six wins over teams ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 poll (four against top-10 squads).
 
UIC is expected to return numerous key contributors next season, including 2026 All-MVC Freshman Team guard Andy Johnson and two other rising young standouts who developed significantly during their freshman years in guard Rashund Washington Jr. and forward Jayce Nathaniel. The Flames will also benefit from critical veteran leadership through a pair of senior starters in guard Ahmad Henderson II and guard/forward Mekhi Lowery.

Details on season ticket packages for the 2026-27 Flames' men's basketball campaign will be available in the coming weeks. Further information will be forthcoming via the UIC Athletics Ticket Office, which can be reached by phone (312.413.8421) or e-mail (athleticsticketing@uic.edu).
 
For more information on UIC men's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_MBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_mbb and @uicflames).