When Hunter Dickinson transferred from Michigan to the Kansas basketball program this summer, it was considered one of the most significant moves in recent NCAA history. The former Consensus All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection is arguably the best player to enter the transfer portal, and the Jayhawks won the prized possession in May.
Through 26 games with his new school, the 7-foot-2 center averages 18.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks on 55.8% shooting. He is a candidate for Big 12 Player of the Year and will likely be an All-American again if he continues to play at this level.
Despite departing from Ann Arbor last year, Dickinson still has some love for his former school. He is an outspoken presence on social media and responded to Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall on X (formerly Twitter) after the Spartans defeated U of M in basketball 73-63 yesterday.
Hall's tweet has the face of former Fab Five member and current Michigan head coach Juwan Howard photoshopped onto a McDonald's worker, suggesting the coach will lose his job soon. Michigan moved to 8-18 following the defeat.
In the tweet, Dickinson comes to Howard's defense, writing "I don’t think the sport that lost 49-0 should be involved in the trolling," referring to when the in-state rivals faced off in football in 2023.
I don’t think the sport that lost 49-0 should be involved in the trolling https://t.co/TAwGAAkfS5
— Hunter Dickinson (@H_Dickinson24) February 18, 2024
In football, Michigan would go on to finish with a perfect 15-0 record and win a national championship under head coach Jim Harbaugh. On the other end, Michigan State is enjoying much more success in basketball but not nearly as much as Michigan's football program.
During his career as a Wolverine, Dickinson finished an even 3-3 against Michigan State. They lost both meetings to the Spartans this year without Dickinson. He might be a Jayhawk right now, but he clearly still has respect for the university that he spent his first three years at.