Basketball is a game of streaks, but Zach Hicks took that concept to a whole new level during his time in Happy Valley. If you watched the Nittany Lions over the last couple of years, you saw a 6-foot-8 forward who could look like the best shooter in the Big Ten one night and then struggle to find his rhythm the next. But by the time he wrapped up his senior year in 2025, he wasn't just another transfer; he was the engine of Mike Rhoades’ "pace and space" system.
Honestly, the jump he made from his junior to senior year is the kind of stuff coaches dream about. He went from being a 34% shooter from deep to a knockdown 41.3% threat. That’s not just a lucky bounce. That’s a kid spending his entire summer with 15 managers and five graduate assistants just to get enough reps.
The Evolution of Zach Hicks at Penn State
When Hicks first arrived from Temple, people knew he could shoot. He had that legendary game as a freshman where he drained 10 triples against Delaware State. Ten! But the Big Ten is a different beast. It’s physical. It’s a grind.
In his first year at Penn State (2023-24), he averaged 8.4 points. It was fine, but it wasn't game-changing. There was this brutal 11-game stretch where he couldn't buy a bucket, averaging just 4.5 points. Most players would have folded. Instead, Hicks leaned into the "neon green light" Mike Rhoades gave him.
By his senior season in 2024-25, everything clicked:
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- Started all 31 games and became a focal point of the offense.
- Averaged a career-best 11.6 points per game.
- Shot a blistering 41.3% from three, ranking near the top of the conference.
- Collected 1,000 career points, hitting the milestone with a three-pointer against Illinois.
It wasn't just the scoring. Hicks turned himself into a legitimate defender and rebounder, grabbing 5.0 boards a night. He stopped being just a "specialist" and started being a basketball player.
The "Clutch" Factor and the Return to Rec
If you want to know what Zach Hicks Penn State fans will remember most, look at the "Return to Rec" game against No. 12 Illinois. The atmosphere was vintage, cramped, and loud. Penn State was clawing back, and Hicks got fouled shooting a triple.
Pressure? Most guys would have shaky knees. Hicks stepped up and sunk all three free throws to put the Nittany Lions ahead. He told reporters afterward, "I think I'm clutch." It’s hard to argue when you're watching a guy who thrived in those high-stakes Big Ten moments.
His efficiency during the late-season stretches was basically a cheat code. In the final weeks of his college career, he helped lead the team to a massive road win at Wisconsin—the program's first win in Madison in 30 years. He put up 14 points and 7 rebounds in that game, playing spoiler on the Badgers' home floor.
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Pro Potential and the Boston Celtics
After he went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics took a flyer on him. It makes total sense. In today’s NBA, if you’re 6-foot-8 and can shoot over 40% from deep, you’re going to get a job. He suited up for the Celtics in the NBA 2K26 Summer League, showing off that same floor-spacing ability that made him a nightmare to guard in the Big Ten.
Scouts always worried about his "shoot-first" instincts, but in a role-player capacity, that's actually a gift. You don't want a floor spacer who is afraid to let it fly. Currently, he's testing the waters internationally with UCAM Murcia in Spain, continuing to sharpen that jump shot while looking for another shot at the league.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hicks
The biggest misconception was that he was just a "streaky" shooter. Sure, the numbers fluctuated, but his "gravity" stayed constant. Even when he was 1-for-7, defenders wouldn't leave him. Synergy Sports data showed that even in his "slump" periods, teams guarded over half of his attempts closely.
That spacing opened up the lane for guys like Ace Baldwin Jr. to operate. You can't quantify how much easier the game is for a point guard when there's a 6-foot-8 flamethrower standing in the corner.
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Actionable Takeaways for Penn State Fans
If you're following the current roster or looking back at the Mike Rhoades era, here is how the Zach Hicks blueprint is being used to build the future:
- The "Portal" Profile: Hicks proved that high-volume shooters from the AAC can transition to the Big Ten if they have the frame and the work ethic.
- Defensive Growth: His journey shows that "specialists" have to rebound to stay on the floor in Power 4 basketball.
- The Reps Matter: Rhoades’ philosophy of "200 shots after every practice" isn't just a cliché; it's the specific reason Hicks jumped 7% in his three-point shooting in one year.
Zach Hicks didn't leave Penn State as the leading scorer in history, but he left as the proof-of-concept for the Mike Rhoades system. He was the guy who stayed in the gym until the lights went out, and for a program trying to find its identity in a crowded Big Ten, that meant everything.
To see how his game translates to the professional level, you can track his current progress in the Spanish ACB league, where he's competing against some of the best international talent in the world.