Hickson had 31 points in his first college game. The 6-foot-9 freshman scored 27 -- more than half of N.C. State's offense -- in the Wolfpack's 63-50 loss to Miami on Thursday in the opening round of the ACC Tournament.

Thursday's loss could be his final college game. Hickson, who led the Wolfpack this season in scoring and rebounding, said he will evaluate his NBA Draft potential and then make a decision about his future.

"I'm just going to get together with my family and the coaching staff and see where I am on the draft board," Hickson said. "If I'm not where I want to be in the draft, then I'll come back and start all over again."

One mock draft on the Internet, nbadraft.net, projects Hickson as a high second-round pick. That was before his performance Thursday.

The power forward finished with eight field goals, the same total as the rest of his teammates combined. He also had 14 rebounds in 33 minutes.

Hickson did not start the game because he broke an unspecified team rule, Pack coach Sidney Lowe said.

Once he got in, Hickson made his presence known to the group of NBA scouts in attendance at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

His best stretch came with State down 14-6 with nine minutes left in the first half. Hickson scored on four straight possessions, tying the score at 14 with two free throws at the 7:32 mark.

He showed a variety of post moves with spins, hook shots and short jumpers in the stretch. His best move came when he overpowered Miami's Anthony King in the lane, hit a short jumper and drew a foul. He completed the three-point play with the free throw.

"He did a great job," Lowe said.

Lowe, an NBA assistant and head coach for 15 seasons, said he will talk with Hickson and his family about the player's NBA future.

"My concern is for him No. 1 and our team second," Lowe said. "Personally, I'd like for him to take advantage of his ability, and he knows not to sell himself short by going just to go."

In Hickson's first college game, he scored 31 points against William & Mary. He didn't miss any of his 12 field-goal attempts. State won that game.

Hickson said he had a dry spell in a few ACC games but felt he had a productive season.

"I came in and did my job as a big man," he said.