North Carolina State University Athletics
Hickson Gives the Fans a Show in Debut
11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Raleigh, N.C. With nine days between the Wolfpack’s last exhibition contest and the season opener, freshman J.J. Hickson had plenty of time to see the impressive performances of other highly-touted freshmen around the country. But even though NC State had the latest season opener in the ACC this season, Hickson’s delayed debut may have topped them all.
The freshman from Marietta, Ga., shot a perfect 12-of-12 from the field to score a game-high 31 points, almost half of NC State’s total in a 66-47 win over William & Mary. Hickson also added seven rebounds and played 30 minutes as the Pack’s starting center.
With just one collegiate contest under his belt, Hickson now ranks among the all-time conference leaders in shooting, as only two other players in the 54-year history of the league have been perfect from the field with as many attempts as he had on Thursday night. Brad Daugherty (UNC) hit all 13 of his attempts against UCLA in 1985, while Scott Williams (UNC) was also 12-of-12 against UVA in 1990.
Hickson’s 31 points marked the highest tally in conference history for a freshman in his first college game. Two NC State players held the previous record of 29 points, Ivan Wagner in 1995 and Ishua Benjamin in 1994.
Hickson also set the ACC record for consecutive field goals made to start a career, besting Cherokee Parks (Duke) who hit his first 11 shots as a freshman in 1991 shots. Parks’ mark was over two games, however.
The rookie’s name is already linked to one of the greatest players in collegiate history, as Hickson’s 31 points in his first game in the Wolfpack uniform were the most for a Pack player in his varsity debut since David Thompson had 33 points against Appalachian State as a sophonore in 1972 to start his illustrious career.
Hickson came close to breaking the single game record for points by a Pack freshman, just four points shy of tying Ernie Myers (35 versus Duke in 1983).
In terms of overall scoring, Hickson scored the most points in a single game for a Pack player since Julius Hodge had 31 in the 2003 ACC Tournament, and his 31 points was an RBC Center record for a State player.
The freshman from Marietta, Ga., shot a perfect 12-of-12 from the field to score a game-high 31 points, almost half of NC State’s total in a 66-47 win over William & Mary. Hickson also added seven rebounds and played 30 minutes as the Pack’s starting center.
With just one collegiate contest under his belt, Hickson now ranks among the all-time conference leaders in shooting, as only two other players in the 54-year history of the league have been perfect from the field with as many attempts as he had on Thursday night. Brad Daugherty (UNC) hit all 13 of his attempts against UCLA in 1985, while Scott Williams (UNC) was also 12-of-12 against UVA in 1990.
Hickson’s 31 points marked the highest tally in conference history for a freshman in his first college game. Two NC State players held the previous record of 29 points, Ivan Wagner in 1995 and Ishua Benjamin in 1994.
Hickson also set the ACC record for consecutive field goals made to start a career, besting Cherokee Parks (Duke) who hit his first 11 shots as a freshman in 1991 shots. Parks’ mark was over two games, however.
The rookie’s name is already linked to one of the greatest players in collegiate history, as Hickson’s 31 points in his first game in the Wolfpack uniform were the most for a Pack player in his varsity debut since David Thompson had 33 points against Appalachian State as a sophonore in 1972 to start his illustrious career.
Hickson came close to breaking the single game record for points by a Pack freshman, just four points shy of tying Ernie Myers (35 versus Duke in 1983).
In terms of overall scoring, Hickson scored the most points in a single game for a Pack player since Julius Hodge had 31 in the 2003 ACC Tournament, and his 31 points was an RBC Center record for a State player.
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