Hunter Dickinson's transfer to Kansas puts the Jayhawks back on top of college basketball

The biggest name in the college basketball transfer portal has officially found a new home.

Former Michigan center Hunter Dickinson will play his final season with the Kansas Jayhawks, announcing his commitment to join Bill Self’s team on Thursday.

pic.twitter.com/nDiA50wjJg

— Hunter Dickinson (@H_Dickinson24) May 4, 2023

The transfer addresses one of the biggest weaknesses for the Jayhawks last season as Kansas struggled in the paint without an established big. Dickinson will slide into a lineup featuring junior forward KJ Adams, Towson transfer Nick Timberlake, freshman guard Elmarko Jackson and junior point guard Dajuan Harris. The Kansas frontcourt depth is now significantly improved with Ernest Udeh Jr. and Zuby Ejifor still likely to see plenty of minutes. too.

All of which combines — on paper, at least — for a Jayhawks team that goes from being a national championship contender, to a title favorite. Kansas was +1500 to win the Final Four before Dickinson signed. Those odds were tied with reigning champion UConn and behind Michigan State (+1400) and Duke (+1100).

The Jayhawks immediately moved to +1200 at FanDuel following Dickinson’s announcement and are getting shorter.

[betwidget_gambfanduel]

Dickinson averaged 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and shot 56 percent from the field last year. Kansas is coming off a rough loss to Arkansas in the second round of the men’s NCAA tournament after head coach Bill Self was forced to miss the last three weeks of the season while recovering from an undisclosed medical issue.