CHICAGO (May 4, 2026) – UIC men's basketball added another important piece to its 2026-27 roster puzzle on Monday, as head coach Rob Ehsan announced the signing of redshirt junior guard Asa Thomas (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest/Clemson/Furman). Thomas becomes the sixth newcomer to sign with UIC for 2026-27, joining redshirt junior guard Gabe Cupps, redshirt junior forward Lucas Scroggins, and three incoming freshmen in forwards Dikembe Shaw and DJ Hudson, and guard Elijah Garrett.
 
"Asa is a tremendous addition for us," Ehsan said. "He's an elite three-point shooter with great size on the perimeter and that combination is something we really value in our system. On top of that, he's been part of NCAA Tournament teams the past two years at Clemson and Furman, so he understands what winning basketball looks like at a high level. Bringing a player like Asa back home to Chicago to represent UIC is also very special, and we're excited about the experience, shooting, and leadership he brings to our program."
 
Thomas, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound wing, spent last year at Furman after beginning his career at Clemson (he sat out the 2023-24 season following shoulder surgery). During his two years at the collegiate level, Thomas has appeared in 40 games, starting 21 times, while averaging 8.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He also owns a .386 three-point percentage and is averaging better than 2.0 made three-pointers per game, along with a 2.62 assist/turnover ratio.
 
Last year at Furman, Thomas played in 28 games (21 starts), registering 11.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game (third on the team in scoring), while leading the Paladins with 79 made three-pointers (2.82/game, fourth in the Southern Conference) and a .382 three-point percentage (third in the SoCon). He also scored in double figures 16 times and had five 20-point games, including a career-high 25 points twice (the second at VMI on Feb. 14), and he made multiple three-pointers in 21 of his 28 appearances, connecting on at least five three-pointers in six games. What's more, Thomas helped Furman capture the SoCon Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament, where the Paladins pushed UConn deep into the second half before being eliminated.
 
Thomas appeared in 12 games during his redshirt freshman season at Clemson, making 4-of-8 three-point attempts for a Tiger squad that finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference and earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Thomas graduated from Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Ill., as a consensus two-time all-state selection and two-time North Suburban Conference Player of the Year. While at Lake Forest, he scored 1,746 points (second most in school history) and made a school-record 295 three-pointers. He also played a significant role with the Illinois Wolves AAU program, leading the Under Armour Association (UAA) circuit in scoring (15.1 ppg.) in 2022 with a .380 three-point percentage while being rated the most offensively efficient player in the UAA 17U division (1.07 points per possession). A three-star prospect and one of the top 10 players in the state of Illinois in 2023, Thomas was closely evaluated by a host of power conference programs, including Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Marquette and DePaul before selecting Clemson.
 
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).