The 2018 MHS graduate signed a partial basketball scholarship with Westcliff University in Irvine on July 26. Hicks’ hoops dream has always been to play the sport beyond high school like his older brothers Stephan Hicks—who played at California State University, Northridge and is now in the NBA G League, Northridge—and Kaelan Hicks—who plays at Northwest University.
“I have always been inspired to play college basketball,” he said. “I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
The 17-year-old said he plans to major in business management. On the court, he expects to play point guard for the Warriors.
“I hope to contribute on the offensive and defensive ends for the team,” he said, “and help them improve their record from last year.”
The Warriors finished their season in February with more than 25 losses and a handful of wins.
MHS boys basketball coach Richard Harris said Hicks will play inspired ball against college opponents.
“I’ve seen him compete against his brothers, and he really gets after them,” Harris said.
The high school coach said Hicks is a quiet but aggressive player who worked hard on his hoops skills to earn the scholarship to Westcliff. Harris said the basketball player constantly improved.
“His most memorable moment was his first year when he crossed a player up and finger rolled to win a game against Santa Paula,” Harris said of Hicks. “Then, in fall league, none of the guys from the big schools could guard him.”
Hicks averaged around 12 points per game in his senior season at MHS. He said his time as a Shark was a good experience, and he enjoyed playing for Harris and the coach’s brother, assistant coach David Harris.
“I got the chance to play two years of varsity basketball and was coached by two amazing coaches that brought out the best in me and my teammates,” Hicks recalled. “They were also very passionate about getting us to play at the college level.”