4-star Nolan Hickman makes history as first McDonald's All-American from Wasatch Academy under Coach Paul Peterson
MOUNT PLEASANT, Utah (Feb, 24, 2021) — The day Wasatch Academy received its first McDonald's All-American citation started out like a normal day.
So normal, in fact, that the honoree found out with only two people in the room.
But after Tigers senior Nolan Hickman was announced as one of 14 honorees for the prestigious prep all-star event in Chicago, the equally even-keeled Richard "Pop" Isaacs and Hickman simply nodded and dabbed one another.
Then Wasatch coach Paul Peterson texted the rest of his players, who all had class when the roster was announced on ESPN's "The Jump." He didn't say why, but "practice is canceled; come to my office."
When the team showed up and saw the news, they jumped and hollered on Hickman, who sheepishly offered his thanks.
"And then we went straight to McDonald's to celebrate," Peterson said.
Hickman, a 6-foot-2 guard who signed with Kentucky, became the first McDonald's All-American in Wasatch Academy history on Tuesday. He's just the fourth such honoree in Utah state history, joining Lone Peak's Frank Jackson (2016), Brighton's Garner Meads (2000) and Emery's Shawn Bradley (1990).
But for Hickman, the acknowledgement puts him on the same stage where he's seen future NBA stars play among the nation's best in high school.
"This is definitely an honor. It means a lot," said Hickman, who prepped at Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, Washington, before transferring to the Mount Pleasant-based boarding school for the 2020-21 school year. "It's something I dreamed of as a kid; that's the best of the best. It means I'm doing something well, and that all the hard work is paying off. I can't be mad at it."
With his coach flipping the remote, his junior point guard sitting next to him, and his mom crying while watching the same announcement over FaceTime, Hickman realized he was joining that list of legends.
For a teenager who experienced severe homesickness when he moved to rural Utah and averaged 19.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 24 games for the Tigers, the honor means plenty — for him, and the team that accepted him.
"Nolan resembles Wasatch Academy as a program," Peterson said. "He's the kind of kid who is about hard work, and not the glitz and glamour. His parents always taught him to put your head down and work, and I feel like the program is just like that.
"I think it's a great partnership. He helped the program so much, but he proves that we can help kids. We're about helping kids, and I want to help kids. I don't want to worry about wins and losses; kids are the most important thing, and I think this is what happens when you worry about that."
Playing alongside teammates like Houston-bound Robbie Armbrester, BYU signee Fousseyni Traori and Isaacs, among others, Hickman developed into the all-around player that landed with Kentucky coach John Calipari.
Even more, he developed into an all-around teammate and friend who grew to be more focused on helping others than helping himself.
"He's the coolest cat you'll ever meet," Peterson said. "I've never witnessed a guy who everybody wants to be their friend like Nolan. He's the ultimate teammate, very coachable and he's just a friend. He's leaving as my friend; I think we'll be connected forever."
