Kansas' big addition

The top transfer in the portal is now off the board. And his new team might be the team to beat for 2023-24. Let’s dive into everything about what Hunter Dickinson to Kansas means.

1. Kansas lands Hunter Dickinson

The wait finally (mercifully?) ended on Thursday morning when Hunter Dickinson, the top-rated player in the transfer portal, posted this video.

Kansas already had two impact transfers in wing Nicolas Timberlake (averaged 17.7 ppg at Towson) and former 5-star prospect from Texas, Arterio Morris, and would have been a Top 15 team entering next season. Dickinson’s commitment propels them into the No. 1 overall discussion.

He’s a proven All-American talent, coming off a season in which he averaged 18.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg as Michigan’s best player. He’s not only an elite post-scorer, but the 7-1 center is an underrated shooter, making 42 percent from beyond the arc on 57 attempts.

Dickinson will be the focal point of the Kansas offense — coach Bill Self said earlier this spring that “we need a big guy that can go out and get 20 and 10”; that’s Dickinson — and the beneficiary of passes from point guard Dajuan Harris. Expect to see Dickinson on the receiving end of post pins, high-low lobs, and other actions.

When there’s a winner in recruiting sweepstakes, there also are losers. In this case, five. Michigan was eliminated the night before after Dickinson penned a goodbye to the school and fanbase. As for the others, some are in a better position of losing out.

Kentucky has arguably an even better option available if former National POY Oscar Tshiebwe returns for another season. Plus, they still have 5-star incoming freshman Aaron Bradshaw and elite rim protector Ugonna Onyenso.

Villanova will likely have forward Eric Dixon back for a final year, while Maryland already has a quality starting frontcourt of Julian Reese and Donta Scott. Georgetown and new coach Ed Cooley is the one with the biggest hole to fill up front.

Meanwhile, Self might’ve landed his most dominant big man since 2020, when Udoka Azubuike was making opponents look like JV hoopers.

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2. College hoops Twitter was made for days like this

The takes flew Thursday, both from a national media and fans’ perspective.

The Kansas side was more than a little giddy.

Kentucky may be bummed but has a backup plan.

Maryland consoled itself by not having to see Dickinson in Big Ten play.

And the two Big East programs are trying to take it all in stride.

3. Thursday’s other portal activity

No, Dickinson wasn’t the only news from Thursday.

After landing both Kadin Shedrick and Max Abmas, Texas landed a couple of key players with the potential to bolster its bench.

Chendall Weaver is a 6-3 guard from UT-Arlington, who is coming off 9.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg as a freshman. The WAC Rookie of the Year shot 40 percent from 3-point range and had five 15-plus point games, including 21 against Sam Houston State.

The frontcourt addition was Ze’Rik Onyema, a 6-8 forward who started 31 games as a junior and averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg. He had a great opening and ending stretch of the season, hitting double figures in 11 games.

They were smart moves for a team that has its core in place and needed to build out rotational roles at the Big 12 level. Whether either of them can provide more than 10 minutes per game remains to be seen.

Other transfer news:

• Jeremiah Williams left Iowa State after missing all of last season with an injury.

• Kareem Thompson returned to Oral Roberts after originally entering the portal.

• Wake Forest grabbed Gonzaga transfer and former 5-star center Efton Reid.

• Former Gonzaga guard Dom Harris stayed in the WCC, landing with LMU.

• Ali Ali pulled a “Marfo” and returned to Akron after one year at Butler.

• Ball State guard Jaylin Sellers (13.7 ppg) entered the portal.

4. A new No. 1 recruit in class of 2023

The final 247Sports college hoops top-150 players rankings had more than a few interesting adjustments.

For starters, they have a new No. 1 recruit: Ron Holland (who coincidentally de-committed from Texas a week ago.) The 6-8 combo forward is an elite athlete and all-around player who has been linked with both Arkansas and Kentucky, as well as the G-League.

That pushed Isaiah Collier to No. 2 overall, but he’s still the top guard in the entire class. The USC commit is looking to be joined in the backcourt by Bronny James, who rises up to No. 26 overall.

One important note is the lack of 5-star prospects, as 247 has only 15 total. That’s about 10 fewer than most years. It’s part of a consensus theme of the ‘23 class being viewed as weak overall compared to prior years. Some think 2024 could be similar.

5. Top impact transfers of the past five years

It’s not just Hunter Dickinson. Transfers have taken over college basketball. More than 50 percent of the total offensive production next season will come via transfers. But that’s a numbers game. How many of those players had a singular impact? Let’s take a look at the most notable moves from the last five years.

Brandon Clarke: San Jose State to Gonzaga (2018)

The 6-8 athletic forward actually averaged roughly the same stats for both teams but on a much higher stage with the Bulldogs, who reached the Elite Eight with him. Clarke averaged 16.9 ppg and 8.6 rpg and was one of the nation’s leading shot-blockers at over three a game. His highlight was a 36-point game in the Round of 32 victory over Baylor.

Malachi Flynn: Washington State to San Diego State (2019)

Flynn walked so Darrion Trammell could fly. The Wazzu transfer led a 30-2 San Diego State squad with 17.6 ppg and 5.1 apg. Flynn was the Mountain West POY and DPOY; had the NCAA Tournament been played, the Aztecs would’ve been both a 1 seed and a Final Four contender.

Johnny Juzang: Kentucky to UCLA (2020)

The former 5-star prospect had a limited role at Kentucky. When he moved out west he became a star with the Bruins. Juzang led the Bruins with 16.0 ppg on 35 percent shooting from deep and more importantly, averaged 22.8 in the team’s 2021 Final Four run, including 28 points against Michigan in the Elite Eight victory.

Oscar Tshiebwe: West Virginia to Kentucky (2021)

He’s technically a mid-year transfer, but Tshiebwe has to be viewed as the most impactful newcomer of the modern era. The 6-9 center went from a solid starter at WVU to the National Player of the Year two seasons ago, leading Kentucky with 17.4 ppg and a nation-leading 15.2 rpg. His presence hasn’t resulted in a deep NCAA Tournament run, which is the only thing left for him to do at UK.

Norchad Omier: Arkansas State to Miami (2022)

Kendric Davis at Memphis has a great case, but I gave the nod to Miami’s starting center who averaged a double-double (13.1 ppg and 10.0 rpg) and helped the Canes to their first-ever Final Four. In an upset win over Houston in the Sweet 16, Omier produced 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Monster move

Robbie Hummel’s take? Hunter Dickinson’s a perfect fit for Kansas. Here’s why.

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Links as you breathe a sigh of relief as a Michigan fan, knowing that transfer pickup Caleb Love isn’t going anywhere.

• John Fanta talked in-depth with Kentucky coach John Calipari, including a potential timeline of how much longer he’ll stay with the program.

• Former Texas star and commentator Lance Blanks passed away at 55 years old.

• How far did Jeff Goodman push Kansas in his rankings after the Dickinson pickup?

• Matt Norlander of CBS Sports graded the class of 2019 coaching hires.

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