Hunter Dickinson isn't exactly the most well-loved figure in college basketball. He's made it known that he tries to get under his opponent's skin, and we saw his antics on full display on Tuesday in the Champions Classic. The All-American center did not hold back with his celebrations when the Kansas Jayhawks defeated Michigan State in a sloppy game.
While he was vocal all night playing his former rival school, many college basketball fans clowned Dickinson for giving an MSU defender the "too small" gesture after he was called for a goaltend. Most people can agree it was silly to taunt someone after not even making the shot attempt. One of Dickinson's critics was Sam Dekker, a former Wisconsin Badger and NBA player who clearly doesn't like the ex-Michigan center:
Dude turns 24 years old in 12 days… https://t.co/KpnyGWQTwL
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) November 13, 2024
Sam Dekker fires shots at Kansas basketball star Hunter Dickinson
If it hasn't become apparent already, the Big Ten despises Dickinson. Dekker spent three years in Madison and departed for the NBA after UW lost the national championship in 2015. The Houston Rockets later took him No. 18 overall in the NBA Draft, though his stint in the pros only lasted 201 games.
Dickinson turned 20 during his freshman year at Michigan, which isn't entirely abnormal for student-athletes who played at prep schools. He would have only been one year older than his peers before college and is in his fifth year of college ball due to the COVID-19 season. We happen to think Dekker is blowing this out of proportion, but others obviously share his sentiment on social media.
Dekker has not played in the NBA for over three years and recently departed from the London Lions to play with Joventut Βadalona overseas. His career in the U.S. was essentially over when he was Dickinson's age, but that's a conversation for another day.
Dickinson's super-senior year has gone as expected so far. He is averaging 21.3 points and 9.3 rebounds through three contests. Many fans expect him to be a candidate for the Wooden Award at the end of the season.