Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

Hunter Dickinson is coming back to Kansas.

The big man announced Fridayhe will return to school instead of entering the 2024 NBA draft.

He was eligible for this fifth collegiate season because of the additional COVID year, and his decision isn't exactly surprising considering he wasn't included in a March mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.

For his part, Dickinson did not publicly announce a decision during a Senior Night speech in front of Jayhawks fans chanting "one more year" in March.

"Obviously it's there, the Covid year," Dickinson said at the time, per Gary Bedore of the Kansas City Star. "I honestly haven't made a decision yet. I'm more kind of letting the season play out.

"I'm fortunate to have gone through this process where I don't know what I'm going to do for four years now. I'm kind of used to it. I know I definitely won't have a decision before the end of the year because a lot can change from now until the end. Hopefully, if we run the table, win six in a row, (I'll) kind of figure it out after something great like that. That's the plan—waiting, hopefully win a natty, then have a hard decision after that."

Dickinson was anything but a first-round lock if he did choose to leave given questions about how his defense, athleticism and outside shot will translate to the NBA level.

Still, he has been nothing if not consistent in the college game.

He spent his first three seasons with Michigan and helped lead the Big Ten program to an Elite Eight and Sweet 16. He was the 2020-21 Big Ten Rookie of the Year and an All-Big Ten Second Team selection in each of his seasons with the Wolverines.

In all, he averaged 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 57 percent from the field for the Maize and Blue.

Expectations were sky-high surrounding Dickinson when he decided to transfer to powerhouse Kansas following his time at Michigan, and he delivered. He was named a member of the All-Big 12 First Team alongside teammate Kevin McCullar Jr. and took home the conference's Newcomer of the Year award.

The recognition came as he averaged 17.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as a double-double machine.

Playing at Kansas also gave him quite the spotlight going into March Madness, and he responded with a double-double of 19 points and 20 rebounds in a win over Samford and 15 points in the second-round loss to Gonzaga.

Now he will look to build on that success during a second season with the Jayhawks.

Former Wisconsin guard AJ Storr has committed to Kansas, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Charania reported Arkansas, Illinois and Texas were also in the mix before he decided on the Jayhawks.

Storr averaged 16.8 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Badgers in 2023-24 after having transferred in from St. John's.

The 6'7" wing stepped up big for Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament. He put up 22.5 points per game as the Badgers reached the final, losing to Illinois.

It was a different story in the Big Dance as he shot 5-of-14 for 13 points in an upset at the hands of 12th-seeded James Madison.

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie and CJ Moore ranked Storr as the No. 16 player in the portal.

"Any team in need of someone who can get a reasonable look at the basket should absolutely recruit Storr," Vecenie wrote in his scouting report. "But it would benefit him, as well, if that team also has multiple options so that he can slot nicely into a role as a finisher."

Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. is moving on after exhausting his eligibility and freshman guard Johnny Furphy officially declared for the draft Tuesday, though he's leaving the door open for a return to college.

By pursuing Storr out of the portal, head coach Bill Self may have been tipping his hand regarding whether he expects Furphy to stay in Lawrence.

Douglas County, Kansas, prosecutors have filed a motion to seek the dismissal of a felony rape case against ex-Kansas basketball player Arterio Morris without prejudice, citing insufficient evidence.

"We dismissed the case because we do not intend to proceed with it," Douglas County public information officer Cheryl Cadue said, per Shreyas Laddha and Bill Lukitsch of the Kansas City Star. The District Attorney's Office did not provide further comment.

The KC Star added that prosecutors could refile charges in the future with the case being dismissed without prejudice, as there is no statute of limitations on rape charges in the state of Kansas.

Per the Associated Press, Morris was charged with one felony count of rape after a criminal complaint alleged that he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old on Aug. 26 in McCarthy Hall, home to the men's basketball team plus other male residents.

He was charged on Sept. 29 and subsequently dismissed from the program.

After news of the dropped charges broke Tuesday, Morris released this statement on Instagram:

"For about two years we have stayed silent waiting for justice to run its course, but also trusting that the truth would come to light; which is that I am not guilty of the horrible allegations made against me. It has been a path of trials, sorrow, and despair; but also one in which I was able to grow and become wiser to discern who I invite into my life. Today, I close a horrible chapter in my life and now I look into my future with hope and with more desire to be who I was destined to be. I am moving forward with God and my family by side."

Morris was a 5-star recruit (and No. 16 prospect overall) in the 247Sports' composite class of 2022 men's basketball rankings and a McDonald's All-American as well. The Dallas native chose to attend Texas for 2022-23.

Prior to the season, Morris was arrested and charged in June 2022 with a Class A misdemeanor for assault causing bodily injury to a family member, per Brian Davis of the Austin-American Statesman. The charge was in regards to an alleged incident involving his ex-girlfriend, who said he physically assaulted her after she wanted to break up with him.

The Kansas City Star provided more information on the conclusion of that charge:

"Morris initially received a Class A misdemeanor assault charge and was set to appear for a jury trial on October 2, 2023. But the trial was canceled on Sept. 14, when Morris entered a nolo contendere (no contest) plea to a Class C charge and was ordered to pay a fine of $362."

Morris played with Texas in 2022-23, averaging 4.6 points in 11.8 minutes per game for the Big 12 tournament champions. He transferred to Kansas in April 2023.

Kansas is already taking steps toward bouncing back from its NCAA men's tournament second-round loss to Gonzaga.

Michael Swain of 247Sports reported the Jayhawks landed Florida guard Riley Kugel through the transfer portal on Sunday. Kugel was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2022, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and played the last two seasons for the Gators as a rotational part of their backcourt.

Kugel, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, can help Kansas replace Kevin McCullar after the star departed through graduation.

The guard averaged 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from deep in 2023-24 for Florida. The efficiency was an issue, although Swain noted it improved when the Gators moved him out of the starting lineup and to the bench.

He shot 40.7 percent from the field off the bench after shooting just 38 percent as a starter.

It is too early to tell exactly what Kansas will look like in 2024-25 thanks to the transfer portal and potential NBA decisions, but expectations are always sky-high for the program. It was just two seasons ago that head coach Bill Self was cutting down the nets as the 2022 national champions.

However, Kansas didn't win the Big 12 regular season or tournament title this past season.

They were a No. 4 seed in the Big Dance and lost in the second round in blowout fashion to Gonzaga. It was the Jayhawks' second consecutive second-round loss, with the 2023 one coming as a No. 1 seed against No. 8 seed Arkansas.

Perhaps the addition of Kugel will help the program bounce back after two early exits.

Kansas has been eliminated from the NCAA tournament in the Round of 32 for a second straight season.

The No. 4 Jayhawks fell to No. 5 Gonzaga 89-68 Saturday, and head coach Bill Self told reporters after the game that he had already had his sights set on next season well before March Madness got underway.

"For the last month, I've been thinking about next season to be honest," he said.

Kansas went into halftime with the lead, but the second half was all Gonzaga as the Bulldogs pulled away. Gonzaga went on a 15-0 run early in the second half and didn't look back to advance to its ninth straight Sweet 16.

Self said fatigue got the best of his team as they watched their season come to an end, per Fox Sports' Bryan Fischer.

"My guys were gassed," Self said after the game.

It was another disappointing ending for Kansas after the Jayhawks won the national championship just two seasons ago. Kansas was not its dominant self this season, finishing sixth in the Big 12 and earning their lowest seed since 2019.

The Jayhawks snuck past No. 13 Samford 93-89 on Thursday, but the Zags were too much for them in the second round.

Injuries played a major part in Kansas' early exit. The Jayhawks were without leading scorer Kevin McCullar Jr. after the guard suffered an injury toward the end of the regular season. Kansas was lacking the spark that McCullar likely would have provided had he been healthy.

Now, Self and the Jayhawks begin preparation for what they hope will be a bounce-back season in 2024.

Fourth-seeded Kansas was playing without its leading scorer, Kevin McCullar Jr., in Thursday's NCAA tournament first-round game against No. 13 Samford, but senior big man Hunter Dickinson was among the players who helped the Jayhawks avoid the upset.

Dickinson dropped 19 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocks to help Kansas secure a trip to the Round of 32 with a 93-89 victory. The Jayhawks were a popular pick to get upset due to their injury woes and recent struggles.

In addition to being without McCullar, Dickinson wasn't playing at 100 percent after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the regular-season finale March 9. He powered through to record his 17th double-double of the year in dominant fashion, outrebounding the entire Bulldogs starting lineup by himself.

K.J. Adams added 20 points for the Jayhawks, who shot a collective 60.3 from the field. Nicolas Timberlake had 19 points and Johnny Furphy had 16 points to help Kansas stave off every comeback attempt by Samford, which overcame a 20-point second-half deficit to get within one late, but a questionable foul call that appeared to be a block worked in Kansas' favor.

It was Dickinson who was the star of the show, and fans on social media were impressed with his performance:

Dickinson transferred from Michigan to Kansas for his senior season, and if high-profile postseason basketball was his goal, he made the right decision, as the Wolverines failed to make the NCAA tournament this season. He performed at a high level for the Jayhawks all year, and his presence was paramount Thursday amid the team's injuries.

Kansas will play No. 5 Gonzaga in the second round on Saturday. The Jayhawks will need another big outing from Dickinson if they hope to continue their run through the tournament.

Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson won't let his shoulder injury stop him from taking the court in the NCAA Tournament.

Per The Athletic's Brendan Quinn, Dickinson said Wednesday that his shoulder feels "good" and he's prepared to lead the fourth-seeded Jayhawks in their Round of 64 matchup against No. 13 Samford on Thursday night.

Dickinson suffered a dislocated shoulder in Kansas' loss to Houston in its regular-season finale on March 9. There were initial fears that he suffered a torn labrum, but he ended up not needing surgery and was rested during the Big 12 tournament last week.

"The shoulder feels good, good enough to be out there with my teammates," Dickinson said Wednesday in a pre-NCAA Tournament press conference.

While getting Dickinson back will be a boost for Kansas, the team is still shorthanded. Star guard and leading scorer Kevin McCullar Jr. was ruled out for the entire NCAA Tournament by head coach Bill Self due to a knee injury.

The Jayhawks lost four out of their last five games and were bounced out of the Big 12 tournament in one-and-done fashion with a 20-point loss to Cincinnati. Due to the team's injuries and recent struggles, Quinn noted that Kansas is viewed by many as "a trendy pick as a potential upset victim in a first-round game."

Dickinson was the Jayhawks' second-leading scorer at 18.0 points per game while leading the team with 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. However, Quinn pointed out that his average dipped to 15.8 points down the stretch when McCullar was out of the lineup.

Kansas will need Dickinson to be at his best if it hopes to avoid losing a first-round game in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.

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The Kansas men's basketball team received a major blow to its national championship aspirations on Tuesday, as head coach Bill Self told reporters star guard Kevin McCullar Jr. has been ruled out of the NCAA tournament due to a knee injury.

McCullar, a senior, leads the team with 18.3 points per game while also averaging 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals.

Self added that Hunter Dickinson "looks great" after he missed the team's loss to Cincinnati in the second round of the Big 12 tournament with a dislocated shoulder, but that McCullar was simply unable to play through his knee pain.

The Jayhawks were already on upset watch after finishing the season with four losses in five games while going just 7-8 down the stretch after a 15-2 start. Those losses included a 30-point blowout embarrassment against Houston and the loss to Cincy, with both McCullar and Dickinson out.

Without McCullar, they'll likely be a trendy pick among the higher seeds to be upset in the first weekend. And if Dickinson isn't close to 100 percent, the odds only get worse.

On a human level, it's hard to see a player like McCullar—who returned to school for a fifth season to seek a national championship—lose the chance to play in one last tourney.

"How about one more year Jayhawk nation," he wrote on social media in May of 2023 when he announced his return for the 2022-24 campaign. "To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog. Rock Chalk! Let's do it!"

Self was thrilled to see him return.

"This is a big day for Kansas basketball," he said in a statement at the time. "We've had a lot of good things happen through recruiting this offseason, but nothing that has transpired this offseason was bigger for KU basketball than having a seasoned veteran like Kevin McCullar return to our program."

Expectations were immense for this Kansas team—the Jayhawks entered the season atop the AP's preseason top-25 poll. After Tuesday's news, however, it doesn't appear likely they'll live up to that hype.

Kansas will not be cutting down the nets as the Big 12 tournament champion.

The Jayhawks, who are ranked No. 16 in the country and were the No. 6 seed in the men's basketball conference tournament, lost Wednesday's second-round matchup against the 11th-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats.

Cincinnati kept its Big Dance hopes alive with the dominant 72-52 victory, although things were certainly easier than they could have been had Kansas been at full strength.

The Jayhawks were missing their top two scorers in guard Kevin McCullar Jr. (knee) and big man Hunter Dickinson (shoulder). Both players were members of the All-Big 12 First Team and consistently led Kansas throughout the season.

Cincinnati took full advantage thanks to impressive performances from Dan Skillings Jr. (25 points and seven rebounds) and John Newman III (12 points and 10 rebounds). Its defense also held Kansas to an ugly 3-of-20 (15 percent) shooting from three-point range, which is one area where McCullar was missed.

K.J. Adams Jr. did what he could for the Jayhawks with 22 points, but it was nowhere near enough without the two go-to options.

The Bearcats now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, where they will face the third-seeded Baylor Bears.

Baylor figures to be fresher in its first tournament game with Cincinnati playing a third game in three days, but the Bearcats also have some momentum and are motivated by their attempts to keep their March Madness hopes alive with a conference tournament title.