By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After playing two years in Fenerbahce, American combo guard Ricky Hickman signed for Olimpia Armani Milano this summer. He is going to spend the next season in the place where he was crowned Euroleague champions in 2014 Final Four, with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“It is definitely the best moment of my career up to this day.”, he said in an interview for Milano‘s official website. “So many emotions from this tournament after so much hard work and dedication. A great feeling. Hopefully I can continue making some more memories in the upcoming season and have a great time here.”
Hickman says that he is “pretty excited” to arrive in the Red Shoes squad. “I’ve always had Milano in high regards. It’s an exciting opportunity to play in such a prestigious club.”
And what about his goals with his new team? “Milano is of course a very ambitious club. You got to win the domestic titles, the Italian league and cup. You want to be competitive in Euroleague as well of course. We can do that in the upcoming season, make some noise and maybe be a surprise team.”
From the humble professional beginnings in Romania, the 31-year old player ended up a protagonist in the top European basketball level. “You always want to play in the highest level. Even though I started very low I just kept working and moving up each year. And I knew that if I continued in that path I would play in the highest level. Which I did. ”
Before reaching the 2014 Final Four with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hickman had to eliminate his current team in the Euroleague playoffs. “I remember it was a tough series. We needed to win one or two game here if to advance in the Final Four.”
One thing he definitely wants to see in the next season, is Mediolanum Forum packed with Milano fans. “In the last two teams I played I had some incredible fanbases. That’s not to say that Milano fans are not great. I remember when playing the playoff series against Olimpia Milano the gym was rocking. Hopefully we can achieve that again.”
What are his memories from his years in Fenerbahce? “Some good some bad. There was a difficult moment because for the first time in my career I was hurt. I haven’t dealt with injuries at all up until one year ago. It made me stay mentally strong and continue to work as I always done. I finished the season and kept getting stronger and stronger.”
Hickman also discussed his new backcourt teammates, Mantas Kalnietis and Andrea Cinciarini. “Kalnietis is a very tall guard can plays in both positions, very smart player. Cinciarini is very hard. A team player who does whatever the team needs in order to win. Having these guys on board makes my job easier.”