Nolan Hickman is using his gift to give back
MT. PLEASANT, Utah (BVM) 鈥� Nolan Hickman is in the Class of 2021 and the first McDonald鈥檚 All-American from Wasatch Academy, but the Kentucky commit is as active in his community as he is with the ball in his hands.
鈥淣olan is a special kid off the court and I鈥檓 just glad that his hard work translated because he is a real one that could truly change the world and his community with his service,鈥� Wasatch Academy head coach Paul Peterson said. 鈥淪ometimes we all don鈥檛 do well with our platform, but Nolan is one of those kids who I鈥檓 glad is successful because I know he鈥檒l do good with his platform and affect the world for the better.鈥�
Hickman鈥檚 service begins with a foundation he started,, which provides 鈥渁ccess to resources and bridge(s) the gap to meet basic needs for families within our communities,鈥� according to its website.
The foundation began with a for local youth unable to leave their homes in the wake of Covid-19. Recently, Hickman and The Give Back Foundation hosted a coat drive that resulted in over 200 coats being donated to help community members in need.
The goal is 鈥渢o see all children enjoy the basic fundamental childhood experience free from fear, doubt, worry or exclusion,鈥� according to the website.
鈥淚鈥檓 using my gift to give back,鈥� Hickman said via his on the website. 鈥淚 believe The Give Back is my calling from God and He has blessed me with the gifts and relationships that have helped put this all together.鈥�
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Hickman has already impacted the lives of those around him as a high school basketball phenom, and Peterson knows his guard鈥檚 reach will expand as time goes on.
鈥淭his is with a smaller platform, so I can just imagine what he can do with a large platform as a McDonald鈥檚 All-American and the Kentucky platform,鈥� Peterson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only going to get better.鈥�
As Hickman鈥檚 community involvement reaches new heights, so will his game.
The 6-foot-2 Kentucky pledge became just the fourth McDonald鈥檚 All-American in Utah state history, joining Lone Peak鈥檚 Frank Jackson (2016), Brighton鈥檚 Garner Meads (2000) and Emery鈥檚 Shawn Bradley (1990).
After beginning his high school career at Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, Wash., Hickman averaged 19.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 24 games for Wasatch Academy. The four-star prospect fielded offers from Kansas, UCLA, Oklahoma and others before committing to John Calipari and the Wildcats.
Peterson said Hickman鈥檚 game is so well-rounded that he鈥檚 not labeled exclusively as a scorer, facilitator or defender, but instead a good mix of all of those wrapped into one.
鈥淗is ability to take and make hard shots is pretty incredible,鈥� Peterson said. 鈥淒efensively, he can pick you up full court and things like that but also offensively, he鈥檚 scoring at all three layers and is a phenomenal passer and ball-screener. He hits you from every direction.鈥�
Nolan Hickman has SIGNED with Kentucky. 馃枈
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As talented as Hickman is, he鈥檚 not the only Division I talent at Wasatch Academy. Including Hickman, the Tigers have three of top 5-ranked players in Utah鈥檚 Class of 2021. is the No. 3-ranked player in Utah鈥檚 Class of 2021 and committed to Houston while No. 5-ranked is headed to BYU.
Hickman鈥檚 willingness to share the ball and the shine will bode well for him during his time at an always talented Kentucky program.
鈥淲ith Nolan, it helps when your best player is selfless which makes it easier for everyone to buy in with the team concept,鈥� Peterson said.
Wasatch Academy played its toughest schedule in school history this season that included 14 nationally-ranked opponents. At the core of the Tigers鈥� gauntlet of a schedule was from Jan. 8-18 which pitted Wasatch Academy against Montverde Academy, La Lumiere, Oak Hill Academy and Sunrise Christian Academy 鈥� all of which began the season nationally ranked.
The Tigers escaped the invitational with a 4-3 record and ended the regular season at 18-6. Receiving an invitation to GEICO Nationals is the hope for Peterson and the crew after a short spring break.
鈥淚 hope they come back refreshed from seeing their family and just ready to play hard and at a high level,鈥� Peterson said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what it鈥檚 going to come down to.鈥�
