Michigan basketball got unexpected bad news on Friday, one day after getting great news.
With it appearing that shooting guard Kobe Bufkin will be NBA draft-bound, the Wolverines brought in the former No. 34 player in the country and once-upon-a-time top target Nimari Burnett, the combo guard who spurned the maize and blue originally for Texas Tech before transferring to Alabama. With Burnett in the fold, it looked as if Michigan could at least find itself on solid footing entering the 2023-24 season if everything else remained the same.
However, the shock came as it was revealed that star center Hunter Dickinson, the center and centerpiece of the team the past three seasons, will try his hand elsewhere as he’s entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard issued a statement where he lamented the bad news while remembering the good times that Dickinson brought to Ann Arbor.
“Today is bittersweet,” Howard said. “While Hunter Dickinson’s departure is unfortunate, there are so many reasons to be thankful for and celebrate. This young man has accomplished so much in his three seasons. Statistics aside, Hunter helped us to a Big Ten title, back-to-back Sweet 16s, as well as a memorable Elite Eight run. These are memories that will last a lifetime. What I love most is he was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, twice. That says so much about his character and maturity. As much as I tried to instill in him, he was a guide and inspiration for me. We wish Hunter and his family all the best in the future.”
With Dickinson gone, either Michigan will stand pat with Tarris Reed taking over his role or will seek more depth in the transfer portal.
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