Michigan Basketball: Latest buzz on Hunter Dickinson and NBA draft

Hunter Dickinson caused a stir earlier this week among Michigan basketball fans as he declared the 2021 NBA draft. Here’s the latest on his decision. 

Following the Michigan basketball season, fans probably wouldn’t have been surprised to hear that Hunter Dickinson declared for the 2021 NBA draft.

After all, that’s the norm for most players these days. College players, as long as they hire an NCAA-approved agent, can declare for the draft, get evaluated, and decide to return.

Isaiah Livers, Moritz Wagner, and others did that, and Dickinson took that step earlier this week and while it caused some panic, it was mostly about timing.

Michigan fans just assumed Dickinson wasn’t going to enter the draft and the fact that he did so just a few days before the deadline worried some.

Yet, in the immediate aftermath, I wrote how Michigan basketball fans shouldn’t be overly concerned about Dickinson leaving for the draft and some recent reports have supported that line of thinking.

Here’s the latest buzz on Dickinson from Travis Branham of 247 sports:

"“Upon gathering feedback on Dickinson’s decision to enter the NBA Draft, scouts said to “expect Dickinson back in Ann Arbor next season.” His draft stock at this point projects as a second-rounder but scouts told 247Sports that if he came back and continued to show his improved mobility and a more developed face-up game to couple with his very consistent post presence then he has a chance at solidifying a contract in the first round next year.”"

Jeff Goodman also tweeted shortly after Dickinson’s announcement that he was hearing that some NBA teams viewed Hunter as a second-round pick.

He certainly has more unlocked potential, especially with his jump shot. Dickinson didn’t show his range much last season, but he shows it on his high school film and if he can knock down jumpers in Ann Arbor next season, that would be huge for his draft stock.

Dickinson, a left-hander who scored 14 points a game last season, also needs to develop a right-handed shot, for when he’s overplayed on his left.

If he can do those things, continue to improve defensively, and have another strong season, he could potentially be a first-round pick in 2022.

I fully expect next season to be Dickinson’s last in Ann Arbor. But all signs do point to the Big Ten Freshman of the Year playing one more season in Maize and Blue.