HUNTER DICKINSON TO KANSAS!!!!

CJ, I concur. The acquisition of Dickinson already puts KU at or near the top of the projected FF contenders.

Adding Mgbako will push that ceiling to favored, and the KU recruiting class for 2023 from Top 10 (Rivals & 247S 6, ESPN 9) to Top 3.

Stoked!

Bill said we needed a 20/10 big, and he went out and landed the closest thing to it. And beat out some sterling competition, I might add.

The KU brand is alive and well, and Hunter chose to play in the cathedral of college hoops for the best active coach in the land.

Here’s to Mgbako making the same wise decision. A stretch big shooter would round it all out nicely.

“Is it November yet,” indeed, NotO…

And ESPN already has adjusted it's way too early top 25 to put KU at preseason #2 *just* behind Duke.

Supports my imagining that landing Mackenzie Mgbako will put the Jayhawks atop their list.

MM, COME ON OVER TO LAWRENCE!
There's a spot for you in the Hawks' Nest!

ESPN: Way Too Early Top 25

Here’s the link to the report.
JayhawkSlant: Hunter Dickinson Scouting Report

Shay posted a scouting report on the new KU center provided by Brock Heilig of Michigan’s Rivals site Maize&BlueReview.
Heilig has followed Dickinson throughout HD’s 3 year career in Ann Arbor (HD graduates after this term).

Heilig’s report is quite candid, warts and all.

Reading the report it seems Dickinson will definitely benefit from being under Self’s tutelage if he fully commits himself to the program. It’s interesting that Heilig assesses HD as not what today’s NBA teams are looking for, supporting what’s out there about HD and the likelihood he could be at KU for 2 seasons since he will still have his COVID-19 season after his true senior season with KU. Of course if his time with KU over the next year is truly fruitful that could change.
HE
=================

SUMMARY

HD spent 3 seasons at Michigan.
Arguably Michigan’s best big man since the turn of the century.
Recognized for stellar play both in the Big Ten conference and nationally.

Averaged 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game this past season at Michigan (UM did not make the NCAA Tournament in 2023).

Awards were numerous. Tops (all 2020-21) were 2nd team AA, a 1st team All-B1G and B1G Freshman of the Year. Michigan made the Elite 8 in 2021.

Opposing Big Ten teams began to figure him out, not as successful YR 2+3. But he did get better as he matured (despite some fan assessments) and he embraced a “villain” role in the conference.

Quoting Heilig: “His unique style of play is one that doesn’t exactly fit in today’s NBA, so it’s likely that Dickinson will exhaust his remaining two seasons of eligibility in college.”

Still, KU adds an experienced center that will immediately make the team better.

An elite back-to-the-basket player with unmatched court awareness, he has made a living out of getting the ball on the low block and backing his defender down before turning to shoot, seemingly scoring 90% of the time.

A naturally left-handed player who has developed his right-handed hook into a very serviceable option in the low post. Still favors his left, but when he gets to his spot with the option of going to either hand he is almost impossible for defenders to stop.

Entered and withdrew from NBA draft after his 1st and 2nd seasons.
Main feedback: he needed to expand his 3-point shot and his perimeter game.

And 3 point shooting may be his most improved area.

Freshman 0-4.
Soph 21-64 (32.8%)
Junior 24-57 (42.1%)

WEAKNESSES

ATHLETICISM
Might be the least athletic player in college basketball.
Subpar lateral quickness and vertical.
He’s a P6 player primarily because of his size, strength and annually improving skills.

Lack of athleticism hurts on both O&D, but especially on D.
Finished his Michigan career with 149 blocks (7th most in Michigan history), but with a better vertical would have had many more.

ATTITUDE
Throughout the 2022-23 season he could look disinterested on D.
Maybe because overall Michigan was in bad shape last season, but his defensive effort and ability is a concern based on last season.

Despite age (23 come November), he was never one of the more vocal leaders on the team. He also wasn’t an “actions” type of leader on the court, and Michigan limped its way through a subpar 2022-23 season without a leader on the floor.

And he also didn’t set the best example off the court.

Not a great role model for his younger teammates. Taunted Tom Izzo and his players on the floor, called Wisconsin fans and players “scumbags” in his podcast, wore a black ski mask into a game against the Badgers. (I think he will quickly see the differences in coaching between Self and Juwan Howard - HE)

CLOSING
Quoting Heilig verbatim from here on...

“Again, maybe a change in scenery will help Dickinson. Kansas is a college basketball blue blood, and it has been a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in five of the last seven tournaments.

Self is one of the best coaches in college basketball, and if anyone can figure out how to get the best out of Dickinson, it’s him.

Regardless of any Michigan fan’s opinion of Dickinson — it was a very polarizing departure — Kansas is now an immediate favorite to win not only the Big 12 but it should also be considered as one of the favorites to win the national championship.”