Florida State University Athletics
Nickelberry Thriving In First Season At Florida State
11/15/2023 10:02:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Josh Nickelberry received his first scholarship offer to play college basketball from Baylor University. That offer came while he was a freshman in high school.
Now in his first season at Florida State, Nickelberry is thriving as a Seminole.
Following a 12-point and three-assist performance in Florida State's 94-67 win over Central Michigan in the first round of the 2023 Sunshine Slam on Monday at the Donald L. Tucker Center, Nickelberry has settled into life as a college student and basketball player at Florida State University. He earned his bachelor's degree in Communication with a concentration in journalism from La Salle University in April of 2023, and he's currently pursuing a certificate in Athletic Coaching as a graduate student at FSU.
Nickelberry arrived in Tallahassee during the summer and quickly began acclimating himself into Head Coach Leonard Hamilton's system.
"I'd say I've settled in for sure," said Nickelberry who was named as the Sixth Man of the Year in the Atlantic 10 as a senior in 2023. "I'm continuing to learn our system every day. My biggest adjustment was probably learning our style of play, especially defensively. Learning all of our principles was a lot different from what I was used to."
In two seasons at Louisville, he averaged 7.3 minutes played per game in just 24 games played. He thrived at La Salle as he averaged 25 minutes played in 73 games and averaged in double figure scoring in both seasons at the downtown Philadelphia school.
During his two seasons at Louisville, the Cardinals played a pack line defense and an offensive style which was predicated on executing plays. At La Salle, the Explorers played a traditional man to man defense and a relatively unscripted motion offense.
The Seminoles' style of play certainly fits Nickelberry well.
He's averaging 10.5 points per game while shooting nearly 68 percent from the floor in the first two games of the season. He's been among the first players substituted into both games and has an been instant energy boost on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. With Nickelberry in the lineup, the Seminoles are averaging 94.0 points scored, while holding Kennesaw State and Central Michigan to a combined .398 shooting mark from the floor.
"Defensively, I love how aggressive we play," said Nickelberry. "I love how we force turnovers and turn them into offensive possessions. Our defensive philosophy makes it difficult for our opponent to execute their game plans."
In its first two games, Florida State has blocked 10 shots and earned 22 steals. The Seminoles have turned their opponents' 38 turnovers into 46 points. In Florida State's win over Kennesaw State, the Seminoles totaled nine blocked shots and nine steals. In their win over Central Michigan, the Seminoles totaled 13 steals.
"Offensively we play fast and try to score quickly whenever possible," said Nickelberry. "I like how Coach Ham gives us freedom and has confidence in us as players. He put his trust in us and trusts us to run our system. If we execute correctly there will be opportunities for everyone to shine."
 Against Kennesaw and Central Michigan, the Seminoles scored 94 points in both games after not reaching the 90 point plateau during the 2022-23 season. Entering Friday's game at Florida, the Seminoles are shooting .507 from the field – a percentage that includes a .606 mark (35 of 63) in Monday's win over the Chippewas of the Mid-American Conference.
Nickelberry, who is one of six Seminoles averaging in double figure scoring after two games, has continued to do what he does well offensively to help Florida State – shooting the basketball.
In his two injury-free seasons at La Salle, Nickelberry made 140 3-point shots and shot better than 40 percent from the 3-point arc during the 2022-23 season. He has picked up right where he left off so far this season as he has made four of his first six long range shots – two in both of the first two games of the season.
Florida State's offensive and defensive schemes are certainly what drew Nickelberry back to the ACC when he entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer in March.
"Florida State's system was major for me in the portal," said Nickelberry. "Knowing the freedom coach Ham gives his players drew me to Florida State. Coach Ham was drawn to my shooting ability and I was drawn to Florida State's style of play."
As a fifth-year player, Nickelberry brings a tremendous amount of experience and maturity to the Florida State locker room.
"Our depth is back and having an addition like Josh is great for us," said sophomore Baba Miller. "Having a vet player present in our locker room next to Darin Green, Jaylan Gainey and the older guys is awesome for us young guys. They are a voice for us young guys and they've got a lot more experience than we do. We always know Josh is going to give everything he has, he's tough on defense, and he's a shooter so he can give DG a break."
Hamilton also points to Florida State's increased depth which will be a deciding factor in the Seminoles' continued improvement throughout the season.
"Our depth is back and Josh is a very important part of our increased quality depth," said Hamilton. "We now have enough depth where we can sustain the effort for long periods of time like we have in the past. Last year, obviously we were a little short on depth."
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Now in his first season at Florida State, Nickelberry is thriving as a Seminole.
Following a 12-point and three-assist performance in Florida State's 94-67 win over Central Michigan in the first round of the 2023 Sunshine Slam on Monday at the Donald L. Tucker Center, Nickelberry has settled into life as a college student and basketball player at Florida State University. He earned his bachelor's degree in Communication with a concentration in journalism from La Salle University in April of 2023, and he's currently pursuing a certificate in Athletic Coaching as a graduate student at FSU.
Nickelberry arrived in Tallahassee during the summer and quickly began acclimating himself into Head Coach Leonard Hamilton's system.
"I'd say I've settled in for sure," said Nickelberry who was named as the Sixth Man of the Year in the Atlantic 10 as a senior in 2023. "I'm continuing to learn our system every day. My biggest adjustment was probably learning our style of play, especially defensively. Learning all of our principles was a lot different from what I was used to."
In two seasons at Louisville, he averaged 7.3 minutes played per game in just 24 games played. He thrived at La Salle as he averaged 25 minutes played in 73 games and averaged in double figure scoring in both seasons at the downtown Philadelphia school.
During his two seasons at Louisville, the Cardinals played a pack line defense and an offensive style which was predicated on executing plays. At La Salle, the Explorers played a traditional man to man defense and a relatively unscripted motion offense.
The Seminoles' style of play certainly fits Nickelberry well.
He's averaging 10.5 points per game while shooting nearly 68 percent from the floor in the first two games of the season. He's been among the first players substituted into both games and has an been instant energy boost on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. With Nickelberry in the lineup, the Seminoles are averaging 94.0 points scored, while holding Kennesaw State and Central Michigan to a combined .398 shooting mark from the floor.
"Defensively, I love how aggressive we play," said Nickelberry. "I love how we force turnovers and turn them into offensive possessions. Our defensive philosophy makes it difficult for our opponent to execute their game plans."
In its first two games, Florida State has blocked 10 shots and earned 22 steals. The Seminoles have turned their opponents' 38 turnovers into 46 points. In Florida State's win over Kennesaw State, the Seminoles totaled nine blocked shots and nine steals. In their win over Central Michigan, the Seminoles totaled 13 steals.
"Offensively we play fast and try to score quickly whenever possible," said Nickelberry. "I like how Coach Ham gives us freedom and has confidence in us as players. He put his trust in us and trusts us to run our system. If we execute correctly there will be opportunities for everyone to shine."
 Against Kennesaw and Central Michigan, the Seminoles scored 94 points in both games after not reaching the 90 point plateau during the 2022-23 season. Entering Friday's game at Florida, the Seminoles are shooting .507 from the field – a percentage that includes a .606 mark (35 of 63) in Monday's win over the Chippewas of the Mid-American Conference.
Nickelberry, who is one of six Seminoles averaging in double figure scoring after two games, has continued to do what he does well offensively to help Florida State – shooting the basketball.
In his two injury-free seasons at La Salle, Nickelberry made 140 3-point shots and shot better than 40 percent from the 3-point arc during the 2022-23 season. He has picked up right where he left off so far this season as he has made four of his first six long range shots – two in both of the first two games of the season.
Florida State's offensive and defensive schemes are certainly what drew Nickelberry back to the ACC when he entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer in March.
"Florida State's system was major for me in the portal," said Nickelberry. "Knowing the freedom coach Ham gives his players drew me to Florida State. Coach Ham was drawn to my shooting ability and I was drawn to Florida State's style of play."
As a fifth-year player, Nickelberry brings a tremendous amount of experience and maturity to the Florida State locker room.
"Our depth is back and having an addition like Josh is great for us," said sophomore Baba Miller. "Having a vet player present in our locker room next to Darin Green, Jaylan Gainey and the older guys is awesome for us young guys. They are a voice for us young guys and they've got a lot more experience than we do. We always know Josh is going to give everything he has, he's tough on defense, and he's a shooter so he can give DG a break."
Hamilton also points to Florida State's increased depth which will be a deciding factor in the Seminoles' continued improvement throughout the season.
"Our depth is back and Josh is a very important part of our increased quality depth," said Hamilton. "We now have enough depth where we can sustain the effort for long periods of time like we have in the past. Last year, obviously we were a little short on depth."
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