Former first-round pick J.J. Hickson to play in Puerto Rico

Longtime NBA big man J.J. Hickson will resume his professional career in Puerto Rico. As Nicola Lupo of Sportando relays, Puerto Rican club Leones de Ponce announced (via Instagram) that it has signed Hickson to a contract and he’s set to make his debut for the team.

The 19th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Hickson appeared in 534 regular-season games for the Cavaliers, Kings, Trail Blazers, Nuggets and Wizards from 2008-16, averaging 9.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG in 22.2 minutes per contest for his career. The 30-year-old’s last appearance in the NBA came for Washington on April 13, 2016.

Since 2016, Hickson has continued his career in international leagues, suiting up for multiple team s in China and for Champville SC in Lebanon. Before signing with Leones de Ponce, the North Carolina State product had yet to play anywhere during the 2018-19 season.