Maurice Mickens
Position: Point Guard
Jersey Number: 1
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 175
Hometown: Memphis, TN
DOB: 2-12-1986
College: Lemoyne Owen
ABA
| Season | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA | FTM | FTA | 3PM | 3PA | OFF REB | DEF REB | AST | PF | TF | STL | TO | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-2016 | Jacksonville Giants | 437 | 83 | 158 | 33 | 40 | 34 | 68 | 10 | 30 | 46 | 38 | 0 | 15 | 25 | 2 | 254 |
Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Maurice Mickens, or “Reece” as he is referred to by his teammates and the fans, began playing basketball at the age of seven. Inspired by former NBA star Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, the Giants’ starting point guard says he vividly remembers watching Hardaway play high school and college ball in Memphis. “That’s why I like to wear number one,” he said, referring to Hardaway’s number.
After playing two years while attending Southwest Tennessee Community College, Reece earned a roster spot with LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis. In his junior year at LeMoyne, he helped lead the team to an upset victory in their 2011 conference championship and he earned himself All-Conference (team) honors, as well. As a senior, Reece started all 28 games, was second on the team in scoring and led the team in both steals and assists, clearly demonstrating his abilities on both sides of the ball.
Following college, Reece began playing professionally in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for the (Memphis) Bluff City Reign. While leading the Reign in scoring, including two 50 point performances, Reese also led the Reign to the ABA semifinals. Ultimately, his outstanding performance earned him a spot on the ABA Eastern Conference All Star team, where he would eventually meet his All Star (and Giants) Head Coach, Kevin Waters. With an MVP performance, Reece helped Waters earn his second All Star (head coaching) victory and he earned himself All Star MVP honors… and a contract with the Giants. Reece says “Coach Waters seen me play and was interested, [but] the Giants’ winning mentality brought me here.”
Reece’s first season with the Giants in 2013-14 was filled with many highs and lows. The Giants had jumped out to a 19-0 regular season record when Reece sustained a season-ending knee injury. The Giants went on to a 29-1 regular season record and their third straight national championship appearance, but suffered a two point loss to the Shreveport Mavericks in the final game. “It was a very tough moment for me in my career,” says Reece. He added how the Giants’ organization were very supportive during the rehab process, but also how “not playing was just as difficult as losing the championship.”
Following his surgery and six months of rehab, Reece was cleared to return for the 2014-15 season. He bounced back from the injury and was ultimately named to the ABA All Final Four team and selected as an ABA All Star for the second time, despite still having a nagging knee injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the Giants’ final game.
This year, Reece is determined to stay healthy and get the Giants back to the championship. “His maturation at the point guard spot is what we are counting on to make another Championship run,” said Giants’ Head Coach Kevin Waters. In talking about the importance of Mickens on and off the court, Waters added that “[he] is more than just one of my players… he has become a leader for this team.”
In comparison, Reese says “success is not given unless you get opportunities, and Coach Waters and the Giants [have] set the platform for me to be successful.” Reece also credits two members of his family for his accomplishments. He describes his son, Jaylen, as the best thing that’s ever happened to him and the extra motivation to play his best. He credits his mother for “making it all possible.” Reece says “she is my backbone.”