CHICAGO (April 29, 2026) – The UIC men's basketball program continues to build its 2026-27 roster, with head coach Rob Ehsan announcing Wednesday that freshman forward DJ Hudson (Fayetteville, Ark./Fayetteville) has committed to join the Flames next season. Hudson is the third freshman and fifth newcomer to sign with UIC for 2026-27, joining redshirt junior guard Gabe Cupps, redshirt junior forward Lucas Scroggins, and two other freshmen in forward Dikembe Shaw and guard Elijah Garrett.
 
"DJ is an exciting young player who brings a lot of athleticism and versatility to our frontcourt," Ehsan said. "He's a true 4/5 who plays above the rim as both a shot blocker and a finisher, and his ability to run, jump and make plays gives us a different dimension. He competes every possession and his ability to guard multiple positions as a switchable defender will mesh well with our defensive identity. DJ has a very high ceiling and we're excited to develop him in our program."
 
At 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds, Hudson was a two-time all-state and all-state tournament team selection (2023-24 and 2025-26) at Fayetteville High School, helping the Bulldogs twice reach the final eight of the Arkansas Class 6A Tournament (including a semifinal berth this past season). In addition, he spent one year (2024-25) at Springdale High School, where he was an important member of another Bulldogs' squad that advanced to the Arkansas 6A title game. During his three prep seasons at the varsity level, Hudson averaged 13.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, highlighted by career bests of 16.0 ppg. and 9.0 rpg. as a senior at Fayetteville in 2025-26. He also competed at the club level for AAO Flight.
 
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).