Harry Nickens
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1956 |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Spingarn (Washington, D.C.) |
| College | South Carolina State (1974–1978) |
| NBA draft | 1978 / Undrafted |
| Position | Guard |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
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Harry Nickens (born c. 1956) is an American former college basketball guard who played for the South Carolina State Bulldogs from 1974–75 to 1977–78. [1] A four-time All-MEAC selection [2], he averaged 18.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game over his career, and ranks highly in conference scoring and field-goal history.[1]
Early life and high school
Nickens emerged as a standout guard at Spingarn High School in Washington, D.C., where he was recognized as an All-Met [3] player. In a 1978 game against Howard University, he scored 33 points, including the game-winning free throws, [4] propelling him to collegiate recruitment.
College career
Nickens played four seasons (1974–1978) at South Carolina State, appearing in 102 career games. He averaged 18.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, shooting 46.5% from the field and 78.2% from the free-throw line.[1]
In his senior season (1977–78), he averaged 20.1 points and led the MEAC in field goals made per game (8.5), shooting 50.3% from the field.[1][5]
Nickens also ranks among the MEAC career leaders with 798 field goals made and was South Carolina State’s all-time career leader in both field goals and field-goal attempts.[6][7]
Career statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Season | Team | Conf. | Class | Pos. | GP | FG | FGA | FG% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–75 | South Carolina State | MEAC | FR | G | 25 | 238 | 542 | .439 | 54 | 68 | .794 | 116 | 530 |
| 1975–76 | South Carolina State | MEAC | SO | G | 23 | 143 | 306 | .467 | 41 | 55 | .745 | 77 | 327 |
| 1976–77 | South Carolina State | MEAC | JR | G | 26 | 180 | 398 | .452 | 70 | 93 | .753 | 100 | 430 |
| 1977–78 | South Carolina State | MEAC | SR | G | 28 | 237 | 471 | .503 | 90 | 110 | .818 | 112 | 564 |
| Career | 102 | 798 | 1717 | .465 | 255 | 326 | .782 | 405 | 1851 |
Nickens's collegiate statistics are available via Sports-Reference.com.[1]
Draft and professional career
Nickens was not selected in the 1978 NBA draft and did not play in the NBA. There are no verified records of a professional playing career in the United States or abroad.
Media coverage
- Florence Morning News A January 3, 1975 article previewed South Carolina State’s upcoming game against Armstrong College and noted that freshman Harry Nickens would be starting for the Bulldogs, reflecting his early impact on the team as a first-year player.[8]
- The Washington Post A February 23, 1977 report noted Nickens as one of five players named to the MEAC’s all-conference first team, describing him as a standout guard alongside Morgan State’s Eric Evans.[9]
- The Times-News In a February 26, 1977 article titled "Morgan State Nips S.C. St.," Nickens was recognized as one of South Carolina State’s leading scorers in a narrow 70–68 loss to Morgan State.[10]
- The Washington Post A January 21, 1978 feature noted, “Harry Nickens of South Carolina State is trying to lead the MEAC in scoring for the second straight season,” underscoring his early-season dominance and scoring leadership.[11]
- The Washington Post In a February 19, 1978 game against Howard, the paper highlighted Nickens’s explosive start: “From the opening minutes … Nickens made the Bison arena his private playground,” as he connected on eight of his first 11 shots on his way to a 33-point outing that secured a significant victory for South Carolina State. [4]
- The Washington Post A March 9, 1978 local article mentioned Nickens as a “three‑time Middle Eastern Athletic Conference All‑Star from South Carolina State” and alumnus of Roper Junior High, highlighting his sustained excellence.[12]
- The Washington Post In a February 21, 1985 retrospective on Spingarn High School basketball, the paper cited Nickens as an “all‑Metropolitans” player emerging from Spingarn in the 1970s, alongside Elgin Baylor and Dave Bing, recognizing his legacy in the District’s hoops history.[13]
- The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland) In a March 2, 1978 article titled "South Surprises Patriots, 81–62," Nickens was mentioned as a key scorer for South Carolina State, helping lead the Bulldogs past George Mason with his consistent outside shooting and leadership.[14]
Awards and honors
| Year | Honor | Organization | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | All-Met Basketball Team | The Washington Post / DC Basketball | [3] |
| 1975–1978 | All-MEAC First Team (4×) | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) | [2] |
| 2002 | MEAC Hall of Fame inductee | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) | [2] |
Legacy
Harry Nickens ranks among the all-time scoring leaders at South Carolina State University, finishing his career with 1,851 points.[1] A four-time All‑MEAC selection, he played a major role in raising the program’s profile during the late 1970s.[2]
Nickens was inducted into the MEAC Hall of Fame in 2002.[2] He is also remembered in Washington, D.C. as part of Spingarn High School’s rich basketball tradition, alongside players like Elgin Baylor and Dave Bing.[15]
Although he did not play professionally, Nickens’s 33-point performance against Howard University and other standout games remain part of MEAC and D.C. basketball retrospectives.[4][16]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Harry Nickens College Stats". Sports‑Reference.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "SC Nickens Among MEAC Hall of Fame". Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "All Met Team – All Metro Conference". DC Basketball. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Ex-Spingarn Ace Makes Howard Regret His Visit". The Washington Post. February 19, 1978. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "1977 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Yearly Field Goal Attempts Leaders". Sports‑Reference.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Men's MEAC Career FG Leaders". Sports‑Reference.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "South Carolina State Men's Basketball Leaders & Records". Sports‑Reference.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "SC State To Meet Armstrong". Florence Morning News. January 3, 1975. p. 8. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "MEAC Basketball Standouts Named". The Washington Post. February 23, 1977. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Morgan State Nips S.C. St". The Times-News. Burlington, NC. February 26, 1977. p. 9A. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Washington‑Area Basketball Stars Parade Their Skills Across Nation". The Washington Post. January 21, 1978. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Basketball Title Evades Dunbar". The Washington Post. March 9, 1978. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Spingarn: Past Glories Followed by Present Perfect". The Washington Post. February 21, 1985. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "South Surprises Patriots, 81–62". The Daily Mail. Hagerstown, MD. March 2, 1978. p. 17. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Spingarn: Past Glories Followed by Present Perfect". The Washington Post. February 21, 1985. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Washington‑Area Basketball Stars Parade Their Skills Across Nation". The Washington Post. January 21, 1978. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
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