Anthony J. Hicks (1988) - Hall of Fame - Xavier University Athletics

Anthony J. Hicks

Induction:
1988
Class:
1983

One local paper wrote that, "As Hicks goes, so goes Xavier." And Anthony Hicks, a three-time Team MVP, led Xavier basketball back to respectability.

During Hicks' time as a Musketeer, Xavier reached numerous milestones. XU captured its first conference title ever (1981) and its first conference tournament title ever (1983). XU reached the 20-win plateau (22-8 in 1983) for the first time since 1957, reached non-conference post-season tournament play (1983) for the first time since 1963, and reached the NCAA Tournament (1983) for the first time since 1961.

Hicks finished his career as Xavier's all-time leading scorer with 1,805 career points, he currently ranks eighth. Hicks ranks second all-time for career steals (226) and stands eighth on the XU all-time assist chart (466).

The Hicks' stat report bears repeating. He led XU in scoring three seasons: 16.7 (1981), 20.4 (1982), and 14.9 (1983). He led XU in assists three seasons: 109 (1981), 121 (1982), and 121 (1983). And he led XU in steals all four seasons: 54 (1980), 58 (1981), 60 (1982), and 54 (1983).

The impressive stats do not tell the whole story. Whether playing point guard or shooting guard, Hicks was the team leader. It's no secret why he was chosen a record-tying three times as the XU Team MVP.

As a sophomore, Hicks began to open some eyes around the Midwestern City Conference. He earned 1981 MCC Tournament MVP honors despite XU's runnerup finish. And he also earned second team All-MCC honors.

As a junior, Hicks burst onto the national scene, finishing 32nd in the nation in scoring at 20.4 ppg. while earning honorable mention All-America from The Sporting News.

The junior star, a unanimous first team All-MCC (AP & UPI) pick, hit 10-of-14 from the field and 14-of-14 from the free throw line en route to a career high 34 points in a 72-59 win at Georgia State. He hit 30 points in a 69-65 overtime thriller over Air Force. And he earned MVP honors for the UC game, scoring 15 points while leading XU to an exciting 53-51 win at the Coliseum. XU was 2-2 versus UC during Hicks' career, an impressive stat since XU had lost eight straight in the series before he arrived.

As a senior, Hicks helped XU to one of its finest seasons ever, 22-8. He scored 31 points in an 84-78 win over Loyola and 26 points in a 66-64 win at Texas. He drilled one of his patented jumpers in a win over Oklahoma City at Schmidt Fieldhouse, the shot that vaulted him past Steve Thomas and into first place on the XU all-time scoring list.

Hicks, a unanimous first team All-MCC (AP & UPI) pick for the second straight year, saved his best for the 1983 MCC Tournament. He pumped in 39 points, earned All-MCC Tourney honors, while leading XU to the championship and its first NCAA Tourney berth since 1961.

After his graduation, Hicks was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the seventh round of the NBA Draft.

HICKS' XAVIER CAREER STATS

Year	GAMES	FGM-FGA	PCT.	FTM-FTA	PCT.	REB/AVG	AST/AVG	PTS/AVG
79-80	26	149-314	.475	36-47	.766	76/2.9	115/4.4	334/12.8
80-81	27	183-368	.497	85-107	.794	87/3.2	109/4.0	451/16.7
81-82	28	226-499	.453	120-155	.774	93/3.3	121/4.3	572/20.4
82-83	30	171-385	.444	106-143	.741	109/3.6	121/4.0	448/14.9
Career	111	729-1,566	.466	347-452	.768	365/3.3	466/4.2	1,805/16.3