Big Hunter Dickinson News Emerges Before NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mark Phelps | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 7:31 PM ET

Hunter Dickinson was one of the more productive big men over his five-year college basketball career. He played three years with the Michigan Wolverines, then spent his final two seasons with the Kansas Jayhawks.

Dickinson began his college career by earning consensus second-team All-American honors in 2021. During his time at Michigan, he helped lead the team to two NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearances, including one trip to the Elite Eight. A three-time All-Big Ten selection—twice named to the first team—he led Michigan in both scoring and rebounding in each of his three seasons.

Dickinson then transferred to Kansas, where he was named a 2024 All-American and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. Granted a fifth year of eligibility, Dickinson again was named to the first-team All-Big 12 in 2025 after posting 17.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Jayhawks, ranked No. 1 in the preseason Top 25, had a disappointing season, finishing 21-13 after losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Despite his impressive college résumé, Dickinson is not included in ESPN’s list of the top 100 draft prospects. He was also left off the list of 75 players invited to the 2025 NBA Combine and was not among the 45 participants selected for the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp.

However, Dickinson recently got another chance to show off his skills before the draft. According to The Athletic's Will Guillory, the New Orleans Pelicans hosted Dickinson for a pre-draft workout on Thursday.

Along with Dickinson, the Pelicans also worked out North Carolina's RJ Davis, Arkansas' Johnell Davis and Wisconsin's Steven Crowl.

Pelicans hosted a few big names for pre-draft workouts yesterday, per league sources:

RJ Davis (UNC)
Johnell Davis (Arkansas)
Steven Crowl (Wisconsin)
Hunter Dickinson (Kansas)
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) June 6, 2025

Even with a roster that includes star players Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, New Orleans finished the 2024-25 season with a 21-61 record. Defense was one of the Pelican's biggest deficiencies. They had the lowest defensive rebounding percentage and gave up the second-most points in the paint. The Pelicans also ranked last in defensive efficiency, last in transition defense and 29th in rim protection this season.

New Orleans' lone draft pick in the upcoming NBA draft is the No. 7 overall selection.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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