California State University Northridge Athletics
Memorable Matador Moments - Hicks Breaks Men's Basketball Scoring Record
5/15/2020 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
In this ongoing feature, GoMatadors.com takes a look back at some of the most memorable moments in CSUN Athletics history. Today, we revisit December 17, 2014 when men's basketball's Stephan Hicks became the all-time career scoring leader in CSUN history.
Senior forward Stephan Hicks would make Matador history when CSUN visited Oregon in Dec. 2014. Needing 17 points to break Matador Hall of Famer Brian Heinle's all-time scoring record, Hicks reset the Matador history book with a 19-point performance to put himself on top of the list.
Originally from Thousand Oaks, Calif., Hicks was a model of consistency on the basketball court for the Matadors from 2011-15. With his ability to drive to the basket, sink the mid-range jumper and hit the outside three, Hicks was a marksman on the offensive end.
Hicks averaged over 15 points per game his first season with the Matadors, earning him Big West Freshman of the Year honors. He scored over 15 points his sophomore season followed by a career-high average of 17 points in 2013-14 in helping lead CSUN to the Big West Title game that season. The all-around scorer would keep up that pace his senior season, averaging 16.0 points while shooting above 50 percent to set his place in the annals of Matador men's basketball history.
points from 2011-15
In his 101st career game with the Matadors, and sitting on 1,625 career points, Hicks would have another vintage night against Oregon. Hicks nearly broke the scoring record in the first half alone, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Shortly after halftime, his drive to the hoop would make history. Corralling a pass from teammate Landon Drew, Hicks drove to the basket and scored what would be the go-ahead two points that put him past Heinle in the record book.
"At the time, when I was in school, I guess I didn't know how special it was to break a record like that because I was just trying to help my team win games," said Hicks. "Now that I reflect back, it's a blessing to accomplish a record like that. Not a lot of guys can say that."
Hicks finished the season scoring over 300 more points to cap his career at 1,959 points. Still the all-time leader in career points with the Matadors, Hicks is currently 10th on the Big West Conference's all-time scoring list.
In addition to his point total, Hicks is the all-time school leader in career minutes (3,938), field goals made (651) and free throws made (599). He is also second in games started (117), third in games played (122) and rebounds (797), fourth in free throw percentage (81.3) and seventh in steals (155). A three-time All-Conference honoree, Hicks is one of 12 players in CSUN history to tally over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career.
Following his playing days at CSUN, Hicks has enjoyed a successful professional career. Since 2015, he has played for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers. Hicks is the team's all-time leader in rebounds and 3-point field goals made and has scored over 2,000 career points. He also spent time with the Indiana Pacers during the 2018-19 season.
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Ghizal Hasan's call of Stephan Hicks breaking the CSUN career scoring record (Courtesy of Learfield IMG College)
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