LAWRENCE — Good news continued in Kansas basketball on Friday. Hunter Dickinson has announced that he will return to the Jayhawks for another season.
Dickinson, Kansas' star center, had the option of turning pro or playing one more year in college. Instead of thinking about what he can do in the NBA, he plans to do his part to further bring the success of the Big 12 Conference and nationally to the Jayhawks fan base. The news comes as the University of Kansas continues to build on its transfer portal talent and establish itself as a championship favorite with a bid to return to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
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“This is great news,” KU head coach Bill Self said in a release. “A lot of good things have happened since the end of the season, and Hunter’s return definitely added to that. Hunter had a huge impact on our team last year. He continued to play and compete, yet was one of the most consistent players in the Big 12 and in the nation. Hunter is not only a great player, but a great leader and teammate. We look forward to competing for a spot on the top team in the nation.”
Dickinson transferred from Michigan State and the Big Ten Conference prior to last season, when Kansas advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. In his first year in the Big 12, he was Rookie of the Year. He was also the consensus voice of all Americans.
The Jayhawks may have fallen short of their goals last season, but Dickinson proved to be the reason they got this far. He averaged 17.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. With Self and company adding perimeter shooting through the transfer portal for next season, Dickinson is in position to have an even better year.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics for the Topeka Capital Journal. He has been named the National Sports Media Association's 2022 Kansas Sportswriter of the Year. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or @JordanGuskey on Twitter.