Hunter Dickinson says people in Michigan are ‘not as nice’ as people in Kansas

After spending the past three years in Ann Arbor at Michigan, Hunter Dickinson is experiencing life in Lawrence at Kansas. Both schools have a different flavor than where he grew up right outside Washington D.C. in Alexandria, Va.

But even those more smaller-city vibes and state college town feels differ somewhat between the two places. Dickinson was on the Rock Chalk Unplugged podcast earlier this month and discussed the similarities and differences between the two cities.

“I’d say it’s pretty similar to Ann Arbor, in a sense,” Dickinson said. “Ann Arbor is probably a little bit bigger population wise. In terms of the city like the downtown kind of reminded me of like not a normal city, but gave me that feel. Obviously being from DC, it’s not the same. It’s a little bit more laid back. But I do like Lawrence. I mean it’s Lawrence, Kansas. It’s not Washington DC, but I kind of like it here. I like the slow pace, and kind of laid back feel.”

Michigan and Kansas are both based in University towns that have many similarities. Lawrence is sixth in Kansas in population while Ann Arbor is fifth in Michigan. Both cities are located within an hour’s distance of the area’s major metropolitan city in Detroit and Kansas City respectively.

And both cities also have rabid fanbases for their school’s teams. Dickinson got to experience Wolverines fandom at Michigan and now will get a chance to do the same with the Jayhawks faithful at Kansas.

“Going down Mass Street, it feels like this town has its own kind of culture and stuff like that,” Dickinson said. “I’m super excited when students come back and the towns get bustling and stuff like that. But just walking around, the people are super, super welcoming. Super nice. Definitely get those Midwest vibes. I feel like at Michigan, they weren’t as nice. They were nice people but not as nice. I feel like Michigan is like a fake Midwest. Kansas is actually like a Midwest town. I loved my time in Michigan, but the people here at Kansas are especially nice.”

The former All-American and two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, Dickinson is looking to help bring Kansas back to the top of the Big 12 and the NCAA. He averaged 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game on 57.0% shooting as a member of the Wolverines.