Nate Hickman, a 2018 graduate of Columbia University and former team captain, has been appointed assistant coach on the men's basketball staff. His return marks a full‑circle moment for a program that has been rebuilding under head coach Kevin Hovde.
A Legacy of Hustle and Determination
During his collegiate career from 2014 to 2018, Hickman appeared in 104 games, starting 54 of them, and was a key contributor to the 2015‑16 CollegeInsider.com Tournament Championship team. The following year he earned the Walter H. Bernson Award, recognizing his embodiment of team spirit, hustle and determination.
After his playing days, Hickman pursued a professional career that spanned the NBA G League and the Mexican CIBACOPA League before turning to coaching. From 2020 to 2025 he served as a personal skills trainer in South Korea, where he also joined the Seoul SK Knights as an assistant coach and helped the club capture four championships.
During his tenure with the SK Knights, Hickman mentored four players who each earned six MVP awards, underscoring his ability to develop talent at the highest level. His recent success abroad has been widely noted as a catalyst for his decision to return to the United States.
Reuniting with a Familiar Mentor
Hickman’s path back to Columbia is tied to his longstanding relationship with Coach Kevin Hovde, who first recruited him during Hovde’s initial stint as an assistant. Hovde expressed confidence that Hickman’s blend of on‑court experience and international coaching insight will accelerate the program’s progress toward sustained competitiveness.
The Lions finished the previous season with a 16‑12 record, securing their first winning campaign since 2015‑16. With Hickman now on the bench, the coaching staff hopes to build on that momentum and push for deeper postseason runs in the coming years.