The start of the 2013-14 basketball season marks the start of official eligibility for Nate Hicks and Jamail Jones as FGCU men’s basketball players.
The pair of juniors transferred to FGCU last year and sat out last season, per NCAA four-year transfer regulations. From the time they arrived at FGCU, they have put countless hours into developing their skills and becoming stronger, better players. After a year of sitting out, the two eagerly look forward to being able to play for the team and take part in their successes. “We have an enormous amount of talent on this year’s roster as well as an extremely knowledgeable coaching staff. With the way our team has gelled and accepted our new head coach, we have the ability to be every bit as successful as we were last season,” said Hicks, a forward.
As the Eagles advanced to the Sweet 16 last March, the two transfers sat anxiously in the background, eager to take part in what the men of Dunk City had created. As FGCU fans, students and basketball fanatics were captivated by the success of the Eagles, Hicks and Jones enjoyed the hype from behind the scenes.
“It was an emotional high for me because I was with those guys every day. To be able to watch it from the outside was something special to see. It made me want to come in this year and do whatever I could to help get us back to that point,” said Jones of the March Madness phenomenon.
With two years of eligibility left for both Hicks and Jones, the two have taken full advantage of their time off and plan to show their progress as players who have worked for their spot on the team. Like Hicks and Jones, this year five transfers will redshirt and sit out the season out due to NCAA transfer rules. Juniors Kevin Boyle and Julian DeBose will have two years of eligible playing time while sophomores Brian Greene Jr., Nick Pellar and Marc-Eddy Norelia will each have three years remaining.