Every season, the Big 12 announces their pre-season picks for Big 12 standings, player of the year, newcomer of the year, freshman of the year, and the All-Big 12 teams. All awards are voted on by the 16 head coaches in the conference, who cannot vote for their own team or players. Several Kansas basketball players were mentioned through this polling, including Hunter Dickinson.
The earliest report on the results of these pre-season picks came from Jon Rothstein when he released the Preseason All-Big 12 First-Team. Hunter Dickinson was listed alongside Arizona’s Caleb Love, Houston’s LJ Cryer and J’Wan Roberts, and Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey.
Later, the official preseason picks were made public and KU fans learned that Dajuan Harris Jr. was also awarded Preseason All-Big 12 Second-Team for Kansas. Dickinson received even more love from the fellow Big 12 coaches when he was named as the Preseason Big 12 POTY.
Hunter Dickinson will look to be more consistent for the Jayhawks in 2024-2025
The talent that Dickinson provided to KU last season was undeniable. He was easily their best big man since Udoka Azubuike when he dominated college basketball in 2019-2020, and, for stretches of the season, looked even better than Doke' Despite this, his season did have its ups and downs as well.
Dickinson averaged 17.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG, which are incredibly good numbers for 32.2 minutes per contest. Unfortunately, his PPG, BPG, FG%, 3PT%, and FT% all dipped from his 2022-2023 averages when he suited up for the Michigan Wolverines. The missed 3-pointers and struggles from the free throw line was especially irksome to some Jayhawk fans.
Regardless, the 7-2 big man was not set up for success last season like he will be this year with Kansas. Last season, KU dealt with injuries but simply had a weaker roster overall — both in terms of 3-point shooting and depth beyond the starting lineup as a team. Dickinson had to carry such a large load for the Jayhawks, especially once Kevin McCullar injured his leg.
With a better supporting cast around him this year, Dickinson is poised to be better than ever and if his 3-point shot returns to the form he had in Michigan (42.1% in 2022-2023), he will be a lethal weapon for the crimson and nlue. Not only that, but another National Championship could very well be on the horizon for the Kansas Jayhawks with Dickinson in top form.