Hickson Is Really Impressive at McDonald’s All-American Practices

07-08 Basketball General NCS Basketball58

There have been a lot of impressive reports on JJ Hickson this week. We got the ok, to take a couple quotes from the article on PackPride.com. (well worth the subscription)

The Georgia native had yet another strong performance in practice Monday, showing an emerging perimeter game that was non-existent for so long. He displayed great hands and finished well inside, while still knocking down 15 foot jumpers on a regular basis. It has been a big week thus far for Hickson in separating himself from some of the other power forwards in the class of 2007, and a strong performance in the McDonald’s game itself would seal the deal.(NBA DRAFT EXPRESS)

J.J. Hickson is one of the guys that has impressed on lookers with his recent play against top-notch competition.

“I think I’ve been playing really well,” Hickson said after practice. “I just come out here with this type of competition and play hard, basically just go hard and have fun.”

During the first day of practice Hickson went to work on teammate Patrick Patterson. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior scored on Patterson a number of times and he used a variety of moves to create looks for himself in the post.

“I don’t know how many I scored,” he said of his match up with Patterson. “I was just playing and having fun with my teammates.”

Hickson’s recent play has been impressive and he’s definitely made an impression on the scout’s in attendance. He possesses long arms and is an above-average athlete, so he’s going to get his hands on some shots.

He also likes to bang on the block and it’s clear he’s been lifting weights and has dedicated himself to getting in shape. His post moves are what stood out the most, as he’s been able to score over most defenders using drop-steps and step-through moves.

About StateFans

'StateFansNation' is the shared profile used by any/all of the dozen or so authors that contribute to the blog. You may not always agree with us, but you will have little doubt about where we stand on most issues. Please follow us on Twitter and FaceBook

07-08 Basketball General NCS Basketball

58 Responses to Hickson Is Really Impressive at McDonald’s All-American Practices

  1. 98st8 03/27/2007 at 9:28 PM #

    SFN: There is a separate topic on Sidney’s son. Thanks.

  2. wolfonthehill 03/28/2007 at 7:34 AM #

    Can we at least comment on how great Hickson sounds, both in terms of his ability and his attitude? I mean, come on…

    “I just come out here with this type of competition and play hard, basically just go hard and have fun.”

    “I was just playing and having fun with my teammates.”

    That’s really good stuff…

  3. Mike 03/28/2007 at 8:00 AM #

    Was listening on 850 yesterday, some recruiter scout was on, cant recall his name. He has been McD’s all week eating Big Mac’s and apple turnovers, saying the practices have been very good. He said Hickson was one of the top players in camp. Very impressive. I just hope we cna keep him more than a year.

  4. BoKnowsNCS71 03/28/2007 at 8:04 AM #

    Also saw that Chris Wright won the 3 pt. shooting contest. Another reason to pull against Georgetown.

  5. packpigskinfan23 03/28/2007 at 8:19 AM #

    is the AA game tonight?

  6. noah 03/28/2007 at 8:48 AM #

    Yessir, it’s tonight.

  7. primacyone 03/28/2007 at 9:13 AM #

    The game will be televised on ESPN at 8 PM EDT.

  8. TNCSU 03/28/2007 at 9:14 AM #

    So, is Hickson 6’10” now — anyone know if he’s starting tonight?? That will say alot about how the practices have gone, also.

  9. BJD95 03/28/2007 at 9:15 AM #

    I still can’t believe so many people think Hickso n won’t start next year. He could be every bit as good as Wright was for UNC this year.

    When was the last time NC State entered the season with legitimate conference POY and ROY candidates?

  10. TNCSU 03/28/2007 at 9:18 AM #

    I mentioned several weeks ago that I DO think Hickson will start. I think Big Ben may start the first few games, and if we want to go BIG, Hickson will start with Big Ben and Brandon. One of the first things Coach Lowe mentioned was our “small” the college guys were, so I have a feeling, he’ll play big against alot of teams. Grant would play the 2, and Courtney would play point at times. Basically, alot of options, but Hickson will be playing alot!

  11. packbackr04 03/28/2007 at 9:18 AM #

    what channel will it be on?
    hickson sounds like the real deal! way to go sid, keep em coming

  12. packbackr04 03/28/2007 at 9:19 AM #

    o sorry, thanks TNCSU

  13. StateFans 03/28/2007 at 9:20 AM #

    Note to self: Remember to set the DVR…

  14. noah 03/28/2007 at 9:26 AM #

    I’ve only seen Hickson play one game, but the scouting reports I have received (prior to this game, of course) indicated that Hickson will need to work on a few things.

    He needs to get into better shape (may have already happened) and he’ll need to improve his defense and he’ll need to learn how to play hard for 40 minutes.

    I imagine that most incoming freshmen have to do the same things. But it can be a shock for an 18-year-old to suddenly realize that he HAS to play balls-out the entire game or he’ll get swamped.

  15. PapaJohn 03/28/2007 at 9:38 AM #

    What do you want from a recruit? (besides grades – Tracy)
    Someone who works on his game (“showing an emerging perimeter game that was non-existent for so long.”) and who trains. (“it’s clear he’s been lifting weights and has dedicated himself to getting in shape”)

    Exciting.

  16. noah 03/28/2007 at 9:40 AM #

    I think it’s the psychological part of his game that will need the most work. The physical tools are all there.

    And yes, that’s very exciting.

  17. StateFans 03/28/2007 at 9:47 AM #

    If he plays consistent defense and gives “balls out” effort for 40 minutes, he’ll be first team all-ACC material.

    Hell, Wright didn’t do that, and look at what kind of impact he had on a Top Five team this year. What kind of impact could Hickson have on a Top 25 (at best) NC State team next year?

    Dave Glenn puts us at #4 in his early 2007-08 ACC preview – and this is based on optimistic NBA draft scenarios for #1 UNC and #2 GT. His projected lineup has Gavin at the 2 and Fells off the bench. Exciting shit!

  18. Rick 03/28/2007 at 9:51 AM #

    It is exciting.
    I cannot see Grant as a 2 guard. He is not a good enough shooter. I also cannot see BC as a SF.
    I still do not think Hickson starts. I do not see how you can put either BC or Mcauley on the bench. I think the three of them rotate with each playing about 27 minutes a game.

  19. noah 03/28/2007 at 10:10 AM #

    Brendan Wright didn’t have to play balls-out for 40 minutes. They had so much front-court depth that they could afford to have guys contributing whenever and wherever. If Wright had an off-night, Hansborough, Terry and Thompson and whoever else could pick up the slack.

    The only guy that they really couldn’t AFFORD to lose was Lawson. I think they could cover for everyone else.

  20. TNCSU 03/28/2007 at 10:12 AM #

    It is definitely exciting. I see Grant and Fells splitting alot time. Grant’s shot has improved — just don’t let him handle the ball much. The options are exciting. I’m really looking forward to the game tonight to check out Hickson. Also, wrt Wright, although probably a better shooter, I’m not sure that he would have been a great addition vs. a guy like Javi who makes other players better. We’ll have to see.

    On a different note, anyone see WVU squeak another one out last night?? Holy mackerel!

  21. packpigskinfan23 03/28/2007 at 10:14 AM #

    Wright’s offense was just feeds off of allys and missed shots this year. to me he seemed very lazy on the court. I dont doubt his talent…. but I dont buy all the hype either. the kid, along with the rest of his team(minus Cryler) showed very little heart all year long.

    I cant wait to see Hickson play… and against very good talent… even if it is just an “all star” type game, I predict pretty good game play. never actully watched one of these games before. are they competitive?

  22. StateFans 03/28/2007 at 10:15 AM #

    These games are sometimes tough for big men b/c nobody really passes the ball.

  23. Mr O 03/28/2007 at 10:23 AM #

    I can see Hickson starting. However, I have a hard time seeing Fells, Grant, Costner or McCauley not starting.

    It will be interesting to see what our best lineup is next season.

  24. CedarGroveWolf 03/28/2007 at 10:33 AM #

    “It is exciting.
    I cannot see Grant as a 2 guard. He is not a good enough shooter. I also cannot see BC as a SF.
    I still do not think Hickson starts. I do not see how you can put either BC or Mcauley on the bench. I think the three of them rotate with each playing about 27 minutes a game.”

    Agreed

  25. StateFans 03/28/2007 at 10:41 AM #

    What if Hickson is clearly our 2nd best player next year (after Costner)? I understand the lineup difficulties, but I expect it to work out. All I’m saying is that if Hickson is as good as advertised, he’s not likely to come off the bench for ANY team, let alone one that was in the NIT last year (and needed a deep ACCT run to even make that).

    That is not meant as a dig against any of our current players.

1 2 3

Leave a Reply