Arizona target Nolan Hickman decommits from Kentucky, putting another point guard on the market

The Arizona Wildcats are in the hunt for a point guard and another one hit the market Friday when 2021 recruit Nolan Hickman decommitted from Kentucky.

The four-star prospect was considering Arizona before he committed to UK last August. Hickman signed in November, so he will have to receive his release from Kentucky before he can join another program. It’s unclear why he decommitted, but it could be because his lead recruiter, Tony Barbee, left the Kentucky staff to become the new coach at Central Michigan.

Hickman fits at Arizona for obvious reasons. Not just because they need a point guard, but because the Washington native was once teammates with UA signee Shane Nowell at Eastside Catholic in Seattle and the Wildcats have lots of connections to the Pacific Northwest thanks to assistant coach Jason Terry and new head coach Tommy Lloyd.

Hickman, who now attends Wasatch Academy in Utah, is a McDonald’s All-American and the No. 29 player in the 2021 class, according to 247Sports. He’s the No. 4 point guard in the class, only behind Alabama signee JD Davison, Tennessee signee Kennedy Chandler and the uncommitted TyTy Washington, who Arizona is pursuing heavily.

247Sports describes Hickman’s game as a “point guard with good size and length. Plus athlete with frame that will allow for strength with maturity. Competitor with impressive mental makeup. Does nice job balancing shooting and creating for others. Versatile scorer and savvy facilitator. Strong on ball defender. Has both high floor and high ceiling. Easy high major starter with NBA upside.”