CHICAGO (Aug. 31, 2026) – The UIC men's basketball program continues to grow heading into the 2026-27 campaign, with head coach Rob Ehsan adding another young standout to the Flames' roster on Monday with the signing of freshman guard Mario Wooden Jr. (Frisco, Texas/Panther Creek/Leadership Prep). Wooden is the 10th newcomer and fifth freshman to come to UIC during the offseason, pairing with freshman forwards Dikembe Shaw and DJ Hudson, and guards Elijah Garrett and Rocco Pagliocca. In addition, five other transfers have signed with the Flames — graduate student guard Benny Gealer, redshirt junior guards Gabe Cupps and Asa Thomas, redshirt junior forward Lucas Scroggins and senior guard Nicolas Ortiz.
 
"Mario is a high-character young man from a tremendous family, and he's an excellent student," Ehsan said. "On the court, he's exactly the type of versatile wing we want in our program. He's long, athletic and plays with a high motor. He can rebound, get downhill, slash and make winning plays in a lot of different ways. We believe Mario has a very high ceiling and we're excited to help him reach his full potential."
 
Wooden is a 6-foot-5, 208-pound wing with a seven-foot wingspan who spent time at Panther Creek High School and later Leadership Prep, both in his hometown of Frisco, Texas. As a junior at Panther Creek, he averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, helping his school to a 20-win season and runner-up finish in the district. He also placed among the top 30 in the state in Class 4A for field goals made (178), was No. 1 in the district in three other statistical categories and posted multiple 20-point games including 21 points against Alvarado in the 2024 state playoffs.
 
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).
 
Along with its sizable group of newcomers, UIC returns numerous key contributors this fall, 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.

Season ticket packages for the 2026-27 Flames' men's basketball campaign are now on sale through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office, which can be reached by phone (312.413.8421) or e-mail (athleticsticketing@uic.edu). Details on UIC basketball season ticket packages can be found here.
 
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).