Former Clemson guard Asa Thomas is heading back to his home state after finding a new home in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-7 wing will join the UIC Flames, bringing his sharpshooting skills and NCAA Tournament experience to the Chicago campus.

Thomas, a Chicago-area native, spent the 2025-26 season at Furman, where he finally found his stride. In 28 games with the Paladins, he averaged nearly 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists per game while knocking down over 38 percent of his three-point attempts. That kind of perimeter shooting is exactly what UIC head coach Rob Ehsan was looking for.

"Asa is a tremendous addition for us," Ehsan said in a statement. "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."

Thomas's college journey hasn't been without its bumps. His time at Clemson was derailed by a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the entire 2023-24 season. He saw limited action the following year before entering the transfer portal. Despite those setbacks, his potential has always been clear—he came out of high school as a solid three-star prospect with the size and shooting touch to make an impact at the Division I level.

Now, he's getting a fresh start close to home. For UIC, landing a player with Thomas's experience and shooting ability is a significant boost as they look to build momentum in the Missouri Valley Conference. For Thomas, it's a chance to prove that the player who lit it up at Furman is the real deal.