N.C. State's J.J. Hickson said he's in the NBA Draft to stay in an interview with the web site of the Phoenix Suns.

The 6-9 power forward, who led the Wolfpack in rebounding and scoring as a freshman, declared for the draft in March but has not hired an agent. When asked by the team's web site after a workout, the McDonald's All-American said:

"I would say that I’m definitely in the draft. I came out just testing the waters but since I’m hearing a lot of good things about my game I’m not going to pull my name out."

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Hickson's apparent decision to stay in the draft comes as a surprise to few. His own coach, Sidney Lowe, said before Hickson even played a minute of college basketball that Hickson had the skills of a "one-and-done" player.

The talented big man led State with 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. After scoring 27 points in State's ACC Tournament loss to Miami, Hickson said that if he liked his draft position, he would leave college after one season.

Hickson said in the Phoenix interview that he has had four NBA workouts, including one with the Suns, who have the 15th pick in the June 26th draft. He has already worked out for Sacramento (12th pick), Seattle (fourth and 24th) and Cleveland (19th).

Hickson's departure leaves Lowe with a thin frontcourt of veterans forwards Ben McCauley, Brandon Costner and sophomore Tracy Smith for the 2008-09 season.

State went 15-16 with Hickson in the lineup, including a nine-game losing streak to end the season.

06/07/08 at 00:57
Good Riddance! Yeah, he'll be fine in the NBA where no one tries to make him the focal point of an offense EVER... lol. Syd Lowe totally blew it by sending everything thru a guy who couldn't make a pass from the post to save his SCORING AVERAGE. He should be on a team with Stephon Marbury since they both have the uncanny ability to make everyone else on their team play like crap. GOOD BYE J.J.!!! THANK GOD.

06/07/08 at 10:51
Although I think your comments are a bit harsh, Joe, I am sorry to say that I have to agree with the sentiment. For some reason, JJ just didn't click on the court with the rest of the team. Whether it was his fault or the team's, I am not sure.

Anyway, now we will see which Pack team is for real- the one that was outstanding in the 2007 ACC Tourney or the one that was so horrible for most of last year. There are no excuses now. The "chemistry" issue disappears with JJ and the Mailman is gone (not Karl Malone who delivered, but Gavin Grant who mailed it in).