University of Richmond Athletics
Jessie Hicks Named Richmond Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
12/22/2000 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 19, 2000
RICHMOND, Va. - Current Women's National Basketball Association player Jessie Hicks has been named as an interim assistant coach for the University of Richmond women's basketball team, head coach Bob Foley announced today. Hicks fills the vacancy left by Cathy Parson, who assumed the head coaching position at Howard University earlier this month.
Hicks, who played professionally for the WNBA's Orlando Miracle last summer, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Spiders staff. She began her WNBA career in the summer of 1997, playing for the league's Utah Starzz.
"Richmond is a program that is on the rise and I am excited about joining the team's coaching staff this season," Hicks said. "I'm thrilled with this opportunity and look forward to working with the team's players."
From 1998-2000, Hicks played professionally in Spain for Sandra Gran Canaria, helping the team to Spanish Cup titles during the 1998-99 as well as the 1999-00 seasons. In addition, Hicks played overseas for the Naclonales Ingenerios in Honduras in January 1997, averaging 17 points and nine rebounds for the team.
Hicks spent the 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons as the assistant women's basketball coach at Bowie State University. There, she was responsible for player development, while assisting the coaching staff in scouting and monitoring the academic progress of the program's student-athletes. While at Bowie State, she helped the program to Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament titles and NCAA Division II Tournament appearances in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, the Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16. She also served as an assistant coach at Maryland Eastern Shore in 1994-95, helping to handle floor coaching, recruiting as well as other administrative responsibilities.
Hicks, a Richmond, Va., native attended high school at Thomas Jefferson High School. Hicks attended the University of Maryland, where she enjoyed a distinguished playing career, garnering Kodak Honorable Mention All-American honors for the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. In addition, she was selected first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference as a junior and senior. Hicks ranks fourth among the Terps all-time points (1,601) leaders as well as fifth in rebounds (703) and third in blocked shots in the program's history.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice in 1993, Hicks began her professional career, playing for Juven Saski Baloia in Spain during the 1993-94 campaign. Hicks also earned a Master's of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling from Bowie State University in 1998.
