J.J. Hickson wasn’t going to be choosy when it came to the team that was going to draft him. But when his name was called as the 19th pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Hickson couldn’t help but be relieved.

The Cavaliers did not call Hickson before his name was announced. When everyone else in the world found out, so did Hickson, sitting in his Atlanta home with his family.

“I didn’t care if I went first or 60th,” Hickson said. “I was just happy I made it and that they saw my potential.”

The Cavs were among a number of teams that hosted Hickson for an individual workout, and State’s former leading scorer said Cleveland was looking for low-post scoring that he could provide.

“They wanted a low-post presence that could score,” Hickson said. “They have Ben Wallace but I think I can complement him”

Of course, Hickson will join not only Wallace in the Cavs post, but also the team’s second leading scorer in Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Hickson, though, acknowledges the playing time will work itself out.

“It’s the NBA, so I really can’t do nothing about that,” he said.

Joining the Cavaliers means Hickson will play alongside one of the game’s premier players in LeBron James, an opportunity Hickson said he is looking forward to.

“Whenever you have the chance to play with someone of his caliber, it’s a great opportunity to win games and hopefully win a championship,” Hickson said.

Hickson entered college as one of the nation’s most highly touted recruits. And after just one year at N.C. State, Hickson felt he had developed the skill set to compete at the next level.

“I felt the whole college thing was a learning experience for me,” Hickson said. “I had a sit down with the coaching staff and my family and I just felt like I was ready to go, so I made the jump.”

And that jump was something Hickson has dreamed of and planned for a long time.

“It’s been one of my main goals,” he said. “I felt like me leaving school early would get me closer to accomplishing my goals.”

Hickson was N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe’s prized recruit of the 2008 class. And even now, as Hickson has entered the NBA, the two remain in close contact.

“I talk to coach Lowe like every other day,” Hickson said. “He calls me and we keep in touch and just talk basketball. There are no hard feelings.”