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NORFOLK, VA--Old Dominion University head men's basketball coach Blaine Taylor announced today that 6-2 All-State guard Josh Hicks (Winston, Salem, NC) from North Carolina High School 4A State Champion Mount Tabor has signed a letter of intent to play for the Monarchs.

"Josh is really our kind of guy," said Taylor. "He is well thought of, a very classy young man. On the court Josh is very competitive and versatile, as he can shoot the ball with range. When You look at the success their program has had under coach Andy Muse, winning the state title, Josh brings a lot of good intangibles to us such as ambition, and the understanding the mixture of talents it takes to succeed. He will put his nose in right away and compete at the guard position."

Hicks averaged 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 4.5 steals per game as he led Mount Tabor to a 31-1 record, the Central Piedmont title and the NCHSAA 4-A Championship. Mount Tabor defeated Terry Sanford High, 60-55. Hicks made a crucial steal in the final seconds of the title game.

"I am excited about getting the opportunity to attend Old Dominion," said Hicks. " After looking at all aspects of academics, climate, coach Taylor and his staff, and college life, I know that ODU is the best school for me. I feel that I will fit in well there, and I am now an official Monarch and looking forward to helping maintain the tradition that past players have set."

Hicks was named to the Third Team North Carolina All-State squad by the Charlotte Observer. He is a two-time Central Piedmont All-Conference selection, and was named to the All-Region team in the NCHSAA State Tournament. The Winston-Salem Journal named him to the All-Northwest squad.

"Josh is a very special player and person," said Mount Tabor's head basketball coach Andy Muse. "He is a leader who has gotten it done both on and off the court. All season, Josh hit big shots for us at the right time. He is a student athlete in which ODU will be very proud to receive into their basketball family "

Hicks is the son of Pam Hicks and he is planning to major in sports management at ODU. Hicks joins a solid Monarch squad that returns all but one player next season from a 25-10 squad that tied for third in the CAA and captured the inaugural Collegeinsider.com Post Season Championship. ODU has won 24 or more games four of the last five seasons and has reached post season play each of the last five seasons.