Michigan Basketball: Hunter Dickinson’s return seems likely

After not getting an invite to the NBA draft combine, Hunter Dickinson seems likely to return to Michigan basketball for next season.

Hunter Dickinson was a top 50 recruit in the 2020 class, however, few could have predicted the season he would go to put together. As a freshman for Michigan basketball, Dickinson averaged 14.1 PPG and 7.4 RPG while recording 6 double-doubles along the way.

He garnered many accolades for his play including Second-team All-America by the Associated Press, USA Today, and Sporting News, First-team All-Big Ten by the media and second-team by the coaches, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

That is why Dickinson sent Michigan basketball fans into a frenzy when he declared for the 2021 NBA Draft despite not being projected as a first-round pick. However, Michigan fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as it appears Dickinson will likely be back for his sophomore season.

Typically, the NBA Draft Combine will give you a good idea of a prospect’s draft standing. NBA teams vote on the 70 players they want to see at the NBA Draft Combine.

With only 60 selections in the NBA Draft, the lack of an invite to the combine can be pretty damning to a prospect’s chances of being drafted. To this point, Dickinson has not received an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, which is scheduled to take place from June 21-27 in Chicago.

Dickinson has received an invite to the NBA G-League Elite Camp along with former Wolverines Chaundee Brown and Mike Smith and incoming transfer DeVante Jones.

While Dickinson is already an excellent college player, there are questions about how well his game translates to the next level.

The NBA has gone away from back-to-the-basket traditional centers like Dickinson in recent years. Dickinson must show he can step away from the basket and knock down face-up jumpers. He did during his prep career, however, during his freshman season at Michigan, Dickinson went 0-4 from three.

Additionally, Dickinson must show he has the lateral quickness to defend the pick-and-roll and when he gets switched out on the perimeter. ESPN and The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie (subscription required) do not have Dickinson in their top 100 rankings.

Dickinson returning would be excellent news for the Wolverines. Individually, Dickinson will be a popular pick to win National Player of the Year should he make the strides expected as a sophomore.

Michigan basketball will also have a chance to repeat as Big Ten regular-season champs and win the national championship in 2022.

The Wolverines will have a deep roster, thanks to signing the nation’s top recruiting class. However, Dickinson is the anchor in the middle and the one player it cannot afford to lose.