Hunter Dickinson shares farewell message to Michigan: 'I will always think of myself as a Michigan man'
Michigan Wolverines basketball center Hunter Dickinson entered the transfer portal March 31. There was still a possibility he would return to U-M, though buzz had died down on that chance in recent weeks, and he confirmed he will be headed elsewhere next season in a post on social media.
Dickinson, who’s considering Villanova, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland and Georgetown, discussed his decision to enter the portal, thanked Michigan and said he’ll always consider himself a Wolverine. The three-time All-Big Ten honoree will announce his decision Thursday.
“The initial decision for me to enter the portal was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Dickinson wrote. “The thought of potentially leaving the place I love and called home for 3 years, was and is extraordinarily difficult to process. After conversations with my family and a lot of time in thought, I realized entering the portal was the best decision for myself and my future.
“I’ve grown and learned so much in my 3 years at Michigan, and if I could do it all over again out of high school there is no doubt in my mind I would make the same choice. That being said, it’s time for me to move on.
“Before I announce tomorrow where I will be attending next year, I wanted to take the time to say thank you. Thank you to the coaching staff who believed in me and made me the player I am today. To all the players I’ve played with during my time at Michigan, I know without you guys I could’ve never become the player I am today and accomplish what we accomplished. And lastly to the fans, you guys showed me so much love in my 3 years. I really felt like a part of the community and like Ann Arbor was my second home. Thank you.
“No matter where I decide to go, after I get my degree in the summer I will always think of myself as a Michigan man. I know the decision to transfer came as a shock, and I hope that with time you can come to understand why I chose to do it.”
In 2023, Dickinson was named All-Big Ten for the third time in his Michigan career, with the media tabbing him to the first team and the coaches voting him second team. The 7-foot-1, 260-pounder was named honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.
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Dickinson averaged 18.5 points, 9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game this past season. He shot 56 percent from the field and a career-best 42.1 percent from three-point range.
For his career, Dickinson averaged 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists along with 149 career blocks. He was the eighth Michigan player to put up 1,500-plus points and 750-plus rebounds in his career.
Dickinson was a first-team honoree by the media and second team selection by the coaches in 2021, and a second-team choice by both groups in 2022. The big man is one of 11 players in Michigan history to be named first-team All-Big Ten in at least two seasons, joining Bill Buntin (1963-64-65), Cazzie Russell (1964-65-66), Bob Harrison (1948-49), Rudy Tomjanovich (1969-70), Henry Wilmore (1971-72), Rickey Green (1976-77), Mike McGee (1978, ‘81), Roy Tarpley (1985-86), Gary Grant (1987-88) and Glen Rice (1988-89).
Dickinson helped Michigan win 60 games over the last three seasons. The Maize and Blue won the 2021 Big Ten title before advancing to the Elite Eight, made the Sweet 16 in 2022 and failed to make the Big Dance this past season.
