The move reunites Hicks with Silver Stars Head Coach Dee Brown, who coached her with the Orlando Miracle in 2002, and point guard Shannon “Pee Wee” Johnson who was acquired in a trade with Connecticut on January 27.

“One of our goals during the off-season was to improve our team from last year and adding Jessie to roster does that for us,” Silver COO Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil said. “Jessie is a seasoned veteran who is very physical and aggressive and has the experience to get us to the next level. She works hard on and off the court and that is something we look for in our players.”

Hicks, a 6-4 center, spent three seasons with the Orlando Miracle before the team seized operations and relocated to Connecticut in 2003. In one season with the Sun she averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds. While playing for the Miracle in 2002 under Coach Brown, Hicks averaged a career-best 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Hicks began her WNBA career with the Utah Starzz in 1997. For her five-year WNBA career Hicks has played in 142 games, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

“I’m excited to be reunited with Jessie,” Brown said. “Jessie was an integral part to the success we had while I was with the Miracle. She gives us some added depth at the center spot. Overall, we think she is a great fit to our team.”

From 1998-2000 Hicks took a hiatus from the WNBA and played in Spain for two seasons. She has also played in Honduras, and during the 1993-94 season she averaged 17 points and nine rebounds while playing for Juven Saski Baloia in Spain.

Hicks enjoyed a successful collegiate-career at the University of Maryland where she earned All-ACC Conference First Team and Kodak All-American Honorable Mention as a junior and a senior. She spent the 1994-95 season as an assistant coach with Maryland Eastern Shore before making the move to Bowie State University where she served as an assistant coach from 1995-97.