Loyola women’s basketball junior Kimmie Hicks recently chatted with PressBox about her favorite high school memory, working through shin splints and more. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 14.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Greyhounds in 2024-25. Hicks is a native of Annapolis and graduate of Saint Frances Academy.
PressBox: How did you first become interested in basketball?
Kimmie Hicks: I used to be a cheerleader from when I was 2 years old to about 8. I lost my passion for that. I wanted to play another sport, which was football, but my parents wouldn’t let me, so basketball it was. Ever since then, I’ve been playing with girls older than me. I’ve played up in AAU all my life up until I had to play with my age group. My love for the game just grew since I was a kid.
PB: Who was the biggest influence on your game growing up?
KH: The biggest influence on my game growing up was my grandfather, [Kim Hicks Sr.]. When I was a kid, he was the first one to put the ball in my hands and take me to the court. He took me to all my basketball practices. Another influential person was my AAU coach Johnny Mack. I played for his AAU program [Team Maryland] since I was about 9, 10 years old. Ever since I [started] playing AAU, he’s the only person I’ve ever played for, so he played a big role in my success.
PB: What are your favorite memories from your time at Saint Frances?
KH: One of my favorite memories I remember is my freshman year. We went to the John Wall [Holiday Invitational]. I was playing with Angel [Reese]. We played a competitive Heritage team from out of North Carolina — big game, nice environment, big crowd, close game. We competed well. That was kind of my first big experience that I had with a large crowd, fans screaming, close game. That’s probably my favorite memory.
PB: Why did you choose to go to Loyola?
KH: I chose Loyola because it was close to home. The coaches welcomed me. [Head coach Danielle O’Banion] is big on family. She cares about us. She cares about my team as human beings, not just athletes. She treats us like [we’re] her own. She wants to see me be bigger than basketball. She’s always there for me. I just like the family environment and that it was close to home.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Loyola?
KH: My favorite thing about Loyola is the culture here. Everyone’s different, everyone comes from different places, but we’re all one. It’s like a big family. Everyone supports everyone. The administrators are pretty nice, they’re helpful. The professors are helpful. The coaching staff from every team is generous.
PB: What was your season-ending injury a year ago?
KH: I had shin splints. It developed from constant pounding on my legs. Over the summer, I handled that and took it into consideration with my coaches and athletic training staff. I’m back now. … I had them for about a year. We didn’t really think it was shin splints, but I [saw] a few doctors and developed that thought.
PB: Was it painful to play?
KH: Not really. It kind of was general soreness, but after I would play a lot, I kind of would feel the pain and stuff.
PB: Why did you choose to shut it down after nine games?
KH: I just think it was the smartest decision for me and my team. If I did develop a more serious injury over the course of last season, it would have set me back longer for this season. Deciding to … take the year off was the best for me and my team just to be healthy for this year.
PB: Prior to that, you were playing really well. What was going right for you?
KH: I feel like we worked hard over the summer. That wouldn’t be possible without my teammates and my coaches. I feel like they believed in me, I believed in them. I was doing what was best for me and my team. Winning is always the goal, so whatever it takes to win I’m willing to do.
PB: How do you take what you did in a small sample size and do it for 30-plus games this year?
KH: Last year leading up to the season I was working hard, putting in the work. Still have the same goal as last year — to win. This year, we’re still doing the same thing — putting in more work, actually. All my team is back now, so this should be even better and we’re going to keep working hard.
PB: Who’s your best friend on the team and what’s a story that underscores your friendship?
KH: My best friend on the team is [Lex Therien]. Ever since I was a freshman, she welcomed me and we always push each other to go harder in practice and games. We have a friendship that no one thought that we would have, but we’re pretty close.
PB: What advice would you give to younger players looking to play in college?
KH: Always keep your head down and work. Never listen to what anyone else outside of your circle is saying. Always stay within yourself. Always believe in yourself. Always work hard. Winning is always the goal, so believe in yourself, believe in your teammates, believe in your coaches and I think you’ll be successful.
PB: What are your goals for after basketball, whenever it ends?
KH: Right after I graduate I want to go pro, so whatever that looks like for me that’s what it’ll be.
Photo Credit: Larry French
Issue 295: October / November 2025
Originally published Oct. 15, 2025