By Jocelyn VerVelde, Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech women’s basketball
program has announced its second 2014 signee, adding 5-foot-11
guard Yaktavia Hickson from Stone Mountain, Ga.
“Yaktavia Hickson can play multiple roles for us as she can play all three perimeter positions,” said Golden Eagle head coach Jim Davis. “She plays with passion; she plays really hard, and is tremendously athletic. Yaktavia has tremendous leadership skills and a great charisma that would be a great asset to our team. Her energy, the fact that she can play multiple positions, and her attitude is really good. She responds well to her coaches and is a great team player.”
Yaktavia Hickson
5-11 – Guard – Stone Mountian, Ga. – Columbia High School
Yaktavia Hickson brings a winning culture to the Golden Eagles, as she was part of back-to-back Georgia state championship teams in 2012 and 2013 in Class AAAA. During her junior season, she led the team during their championship run, averaging 15.6 points, 3.9 steals, and 2.7 assists. She was also recognized as a Top 20 player and Player of the Month in January 2013 by the Dekalb County Tip-Off Club. Hickson also enters her senior season as one of just two Georgia players to be named to the Prospect Nation’s Elite 150 players. She brings a strong academic presence to the Golden Eagles program, as well, maintaining a 3.6 GPA, and is an Honors and Distinction Student. She is also a participant in the Magnet Program at her high school as well as the Youth Entrepreneurship of Georgia Program. Hickson is planning on majoring in communications.
Yaktavia on committing to Tech: “I am very excited to be coming to Tennessee Tech. When I went on my visit, it felt right and I knew I wanted to go there. The whole program feels like a tight-knit family. Whenever I asked anyone what they remembered most about their college expereice, it was being a part of a family and that’s what I wanted and Tech showed me that.”
Hickson on the coaching staff: “The whole coaching staff was very involved in recruiting me. I talked to all of them through the whole process. Coach Erin (Batth) really stuck out to me as being excited to talk to me and help answer my questions. The whole coaching staff helps portray the family atmosphere I was looking for.”
Columbia High School head coach Carla Halloway on Hickson: “Yaktavia is the leader that every coach dreams of. Yaktavia has been a key player to this year’s program and my transition. She is the glue that holds it all together. She is very articulate and a very structured young lady, and very competitive on and off the court. She wants to be the best in all that she does. Tech is receiving a true leader who is a true student-athlete. She puts academics first, which is a good thing. The type of person Tech is receiving is a very disciplined, respectful, charming, and loving young lady that plays with heart and passion.”
