An Icon of the community, Uncle Ricky Baldwin.

The rise of Will ‘Davo’ Hickey has been a story of inspiration, from NBL1 to NBL development player and now a key piece to the Illawarra Hawks’ title run. 

But his story wouldn’t be the same without Uncle Ricky Baldwin, the founder of the not-for-profit Koorie Academy and mentor for many Indigenous basketballers. 

Supplied: Baldwin teaching culture 

Baldwin was set to be a career coach in the sport, but decided to focus his energy on giving back to his community and making the path easier for the next generation. 

“l started Koorie Academy Basketball with my networks and l have been able to be a strong advocate for Aboriginal athletes,” Baldwin told NBL Media. 

“Pushing their names with NBL and NBL1 teams to give them opportunities that may not have been achievable without a voice to give them opportunities they all rightly deserve.” 

One of those names was Hickey, who Baldwin has known since he was a teenager coaching him on the Australian National Indigenous team. Hickey grew up in Redfern, Sydney (NSW) as a highly promising prospect, and Baldwin provided him with the guidance, a place to live and the connections he needed to take the next steps in basketball. 

Using his relationship with Melbourne Tigers legend Nigel Purchase, Baldwin helped Hickey get his first professional contract with the club during the NBL1’s inaugural season in 2019.  Hickey has gone on to play for Ballarat, Casey, Illawarra and Albury-Wodonga this past season – being named to the All-Star Five and the Defensive Player of the Year.

“[I was] just a black kid looking for an opportunity and he (Baldwin) spoke to a couple of NBL1 teams for me when it kicked up in 2019,” Hickey told NBL Media. 

“He got me into the team, I moved in with him and my cousin. Just slept on his floor for six months until I got a contract… the rest is history.” 

William Hickey with the MAJOR BOUNCE ? @MELB_TIGERS | #NBL1 pic.twitter.com/KgC7FTknFN

— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 16, 2019

His progression during the winter months was critical to his now NBL success, having two development player seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United before finding his home with the Hawks - recently signing a three-year extension and being named to the Boomers squad for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. 

Hickey had an untraditional upbringing in the commission flats of Redfern, with Baldwin explaining how that affects many Indigenous athletes' pathway to the professional stage. 

“Some of our kids do come from backgrounds that haven't had that loving, nurturing, privileged upbringing. So we've got to be understanding of that. That's saying we don't want a free kit, but you need to invest in the human first, the athlete second,” Baldwin said. 

“When ‘Davo’ came down, he just turned 18, he was raw. But what people don't know, his dad was the number three high jumper in Australia, so that tells you where Davo gets a bit of his athletic skill set from.” 

Baldwin has personally helped Hickey and many others on their journey, and that’s where his academy fits into this story. 

Baldwin is only one man, and his academy allows him to spread his impact across the community further – through programs, camps and events. From coaching clinics to bringing Indigenous kids to NBL games, he’s hoping to bring everyone along for the journey. 

Supplied: The Koorie Academy hosting children at a Melbourne United game

“In Victoria, there was a real lack of opportunity for the Aboriginal kids across the state. So I sort of walked away from that mainstream high-performance basketball to start up the academy,” he said. 

“When it originally started, it was all about finding the next Patty Mills and Rohanee Cox, but now it's all about inclusion and we travel across Victoria and give the kids opportunities. Especially in country Victoria who miss out on a lot, there's a lot of teaching life skills and we teach culture.” 

While it has flourished in Victoria, the expansion plans are already underway, with federal funding to take the academy interstate –  recently hosting an event in Coffs Harbour.

It’s clear by not only his actions, but the way he speaks, that “Uncle Ricky” has dedicated his life to uplifting and celebrating the Aboriginal community. With the countless hours providing references, teaching culture and providing guidance, he’s earned his title and respect within the entire basketball family.