By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In 2014, Ricky Hickman lifted Euroleague trophy as a player of Maccabi Tel Aviv, after previously helping the Israelis eliminate Olimpia Armani Milano in the playoffs. His current team.
Now a member of the “Red Shoes”, Hickman will kick-start the new Euroleague season playing against no other than the “Yellows”. “To me it’s a special game obviously but it’s still a game and we’ll try to win it. Personally I enjoy every practice and every game I can play, I feel strong and healthy. This is important to do the best,” he said for his club’s official website.
Regarding Maccabi in general, the American guard mentioned that: “It’s a special place to play, my years in Tel Aviv have been exceptional. The fans are behind the team 100%, every day. They make you feel one of them and you always are. It’s little bit like playing for a country, it’s a great responsibility but even the teams that want to beat you in Israel when it comes to the EuroLeague they support you.”
Wearing the 2014 crown of the European champion is definitely the highlight of his career so far. “A joy that nobody can take away, the memories are still there,” he admits. “Even to this day I’m still in touch with my teammates and we still talk about it, we still share those moments. I remember when we came back to Tel Aviv and we saw the yellow sea, 100.000 fans celebrating with us. It’s unforgettable. The Milan series? It was tough, that arena was very electric, a lot of energy around. Our goal was to get one in Milan and we did. But it was tough”.
Now his goal is to make the next step in Euroleague with Milano. “I see the talent to go far but at the same time we need to grow as a unit and make sure we stay as a unit during the difficult time and when the decisive games will be played. Our goal is the same goal everybody has so the difference will be made by the little things. If we stay together we can surprise a lot of teams. There are no teams we cannot win on a given night and to start from behind is working in our favor.”
“I wanted a team where to play for real and showed can still win. I have always thought of Olimpia as a great team with aspirations. I think right now it’s the right place for me and my family. The goal is to raise the highest possible number of trophies”.