MVC Newcomer of the Week with Elite Playmaking and Scoring Surge for UIC
Elijah Crawford, a 6'3" sophomore guard for the UIC Flames, is a high-intensity Power Four transfer (from BYU) who exploded in the 2025-26 season to earn MVC Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Week after averaging 21.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in a key two-game stretch with a .615 FG% [6]. His differentiators include elite court vision (4.9 AST/G) and scoring versatility (14.1 PTS/G, 45.3 FG%) as UIC's leading scorer [1][3][7]. While his outside shooting (27.6 3PT%) needs refinement, his relentless drive, leadership, and ability to elevate in wins make him a perfect fit for teams needing a primary ball-handler who can score and create for others [1][5]. No major injury history is noted, and his intensity level is consistently high, making him a reliable, game-changing asset.
