Hunter Dickinson injury update: NCAAB insider shares new development on Kansas star’s status
The Kansas Jayhawks were not at their best in the exhibition game against Arkansas as star Hunter Dickinson was out due to a sprained foot. The preseason All-American aggravated a lingering foot injury on Oct. 18 at the program’s "Late Night in the Phog" event and was ruled out of practice before the game.
However, Dickinson’s absence won’t be for long as CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reports that the 7-foot big man will lace up for the Nov. 4 game against Howard.
“Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson (foot) and Shakeel Moore (foot) ‘should be available’ for tomorrow’s opener against Howard, per Bill Self,” Rothstein said.
Graduate center Hunter Dickinson is one of the 20 athletes named to this season’s National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year Preseason Watch list. He is also the first player in Big 12 conference history to earn preseason PoY honor two years in a row.
Bill Self has also signed Rylan Griffen (Crimson Tide) and Shakeel Moore (Mississippi State) this summer.
It will be Hunter Dickinson’s first game against Howard
Kansas and Howard Bison’s only matchup came in May 2023, around the time when Dickinson announced his decision to transfer from Michigan to Kansas.
While the center was going through the move, the Jayhawks saw five players scoring in double digits (combining for 73 points) against Howard in the first round of the NCAA tournament. As defending champs, Bill Self’s squad cruised to a 96-68 win by forcing 18 turnovers and limiting Bison to less than 29% shooting.
Michigan also does not have much history with Howard. The two teams' only game against each other was in 2016, which Michigan won 76-58. Hunter Dickinson will not only be facing a completely new program but will also shoulder the pressure of continuing Kansas' 51-win streak of home openers.
A win would also help Kansas begin the season on the right note, as the program is assumed to have a better chance at winning the NCAA trophy than any other program this year. The AP preseason poll has the Jayhawks ranked first, above the back-to-back champions UConn Huskies.