He was not just a point guard; he was the greatest witness to an era on the hardwood of Istanbul.
As the foundations were being laid for the magnificent years when Fenerbahçe placed an embargo on the summit of European basketball, he was in the leading role. A name who refused to give up during the darkest days of injury, who stood at the heart of the storm while sweeping Real Madrid at the Ülker Arena, and who experienced Obradovic’s “mind games” from the closest range… Ricky Hickman told Erdi Tiran and Baran Arslan from the Salon Tribünü team about his unforgettable days in the yellow-and-navy jersey, the heart-wrenching finals, and the years he spent with our colors. A story of nostalgia, sadness, and great success awaits you.
Every great story has a beginning. How did your basketball journey start, and who was your biggest idol or inspiration when you first picked up a ball?
I started playing basketball when I was around 7 years old. All my friends in the neighborhood would play basketball and football. Me and my parents lived in a small house and couldn’t afford to buy a basketball goal so I shot on the recycling bin whenever I wanted to play. I was a big Jordan fan growing up.
Before becoming a household name in the EuroLeague, you played in Romania, Finland, Germany, and Italy. Looking back, how did those early years in smaller leagues shape your character and your game?
Those early years gave me humility and work ethic. Being in countries or teams that wasn’t at the highest level it just gave me the drive to be better and work harder.
Your move to Maccabi Tel Aviv was a turning point. What are your fondest memories of your first season there, even though it ended with a tough playoff series against Real Madrid?
I loved my first yr at Maccabi. I thought the lifestyle and people made it feel like being back home. First time in Europe I didn’t want to go home in the summer.
The 2013/2014 season was legendary. Your performance in the Play-off series against Milano was a masterclass. What was the “X-factor” that made that Maccabi team so special and eventually led you to the EuroLeague trophy?
That Maccabi team that won the EL final was special because we were so close together. I have never experienced so a close bond.
Walking into the Final Four in Milan, did you truly believe you would take down giants like CSKA and Real Madrid back-to-back? What do you remember most about those two nights?
I knew that if we could get by CSKA we could beat Madrid. We all felt like we matched up well vs Madrid. CSKA win was key and the way we won that game we felt like it was our destiny.
That same year, you were named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team. How did it feel to be officially recognized as one of the top elite players in Europe?
I felt appreciated and I felt happy that coaches and everyone considered my an elite player in Europe. Making all euroleague was always one of my goals.
In 2014, you joined Fenerbahçe during a period of great transformation. You were having a stellar season until that unfortunate injury in the Malaga game. How difficult was it for you mentally to stay on the sidelines while your team was fighting in the Final Four?
That Injury was one of my toughest moments of my life but my teammates really made me get through it. They checked on me and always made me feel Like I was still part of the team.
Editor’s Note: When we look back at Hickman’s career at Fenerbahçe, two polar opposites stand out in our memories. The first is his unfortunate injury in the Malaga game… According to many basketball authorities, had Hickman not suffered that injury, he could have contributed much more to Fenerbahçe and led the team to the summit that very year. The other is that immense unity between the team and the fans during the 2015/16 Real Madrid series. The high concentration and unbreakable bond during those moments when Hickman was on the court remain among the unforgettable highlights of Fenerbahçe’s history.
Speaking of that season, Fenerbahçe swept your former team (Maccabi) 3-0 in the playoffs. Even though you couldn’t play, what was the atmosphere like within the team during that statement series?
My teammates at Fenerbahçe were very excited and happy, especially because they dominated the series to win and reached the Final Four for the first time after eliminating Maccabi.
The 2015/2016 season was a “redemption” year. You swept Real Madrid 3-0 in the playoffs. Can you describe the atmosphere in the Ülker Arena during those games?
The atmosphere created by the Fenerbahçe fans at the Ülker Sports and Event Hall during the Real Madrid series was incredible, and as a group of players, we were deeply impressed by it. Along with that, we played great basketball during this series and kept it completely under our control
The 2016 Final against CSKA Moscow is still a heartbreaking memory for many fans due to some controversial referee decisions in the final seconds. From a player’s perspective, how did you feel on the court during those moments?
It hurt losing to CSKA and as a player you wish you could have done more but sometimes that’s how the game goes.
You won both the Turkish Cup and the Turkish League during your time in Istanbul. What made the bond between that roster and the fans so unique?
The fans made our bond great because they were all really great in supporting the team. It made us play that much harder.
You worked with the legendary Zeljko Obradovic. What is the most important lesson—either about basketball or life—that you learned from him?
Coach Obradovic just taught me how to prepare your mind and body for playing consistently high level. He really improved my P/R game.
You’ve played with many elite players throughout your career. If you had to pick one teammate you enjoyed playing with the most, who would it be?
Can’t just pick one teammate but I would say Ekpe Udoh, Tyrese Rice and Bogdan Bogdanovic, Shawn James, Devin Smith, Joe Ingles.
If “Coach Ricky Hickman” had to coach “Player Ricky Hickman” today, what would be the one thing he would tell him to do differently on the court?
I would tell Ricky to rebound more.
How do you evaluate the transformation of the Fenerbahçe basketball organization into a European giant over the last 20 years?
The Fenerbahçe basketball organization has now become a giant power in Europe, and I am very happy just to be a part of it and to have witnessed this growth taking place
What does life look like for Ricky Hickman these days? Could you tell us about your future plans and projects?
Right now I coach one of the top High School basketball teams in North Carolina and I currently enjoy spending time with my family. Right now I have 2 sons involved with basketball so I stay busy.
Do you have a special message for the Fenerbahçe fans who still cheer for you and follow your journey?
I’m sending my love to the Fenerbahçe fans. I am grateful for the support and love they showed during my time there, especially during that difficult period when I was returning from the Achilles tendon injury. They will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you so much for remembering me, Erdi.
Salon Tribünü 