Hunter Dickinson talks emotional response to leaving Michigan, NIL factors, and more

The 2022-23 Michigan basketball season did not go well. The Wolverines fell short of all their preseason goals and were eventually knocked out of the NIT in heartbreaking fashion by Vanderbilt. After the embarrassing season for the Maize and Blue, fans were blindsided by the news of Hunter Dickinson entering the transfer portal. He eventually found a new home with Kansas in the Big 12 where he will earn more NIL money and seemingly have a better shot at a national title.

Hunter Dickinson breaks down the NIL situation with Michigan basketball and his decision to enter the transfer portal

Recently, in an interview with ESPN, Hunter Dickinson discussed what led him to leave Ann Arbor and how he dealt with the decision. As many fans already know, NIL earnings played a significant role in his choice to transfer from Michigan basketball. He has been open about the fact that, contrary to previous beliefs, the Wolverines’ basketball program is not on par with many other prominent programs nationwide.

“I think that would make any normal human being a little upset about their situation,” Dickinson told ESPN. “Any guy in some desk job that was working way harder and producing way more than a person at another company that wasn’t producing nearly as much as them but they’re making more money, I feel like any normal human being would be a little upset.”

Still, Hunter Dickinson added that — despite seemingly having money-based motives — NIL was not the only factor in his choice to leave. “If I wanted to just go to the highest bidder,” Dickinson explained, “then it wouldn’t be Kansas.”

An emotional goodbye for the former Maize and Blue legend

Leaving Michigan basketball was undoubtedly a difficult decision for Hunter Dickinson, who was the standout player during Juwan Howard’s second through fourth seasons as head coach in Ann Arbor. Throughout that period, Dickinson became a beloved figure among fans, contributing to the team’s success with an Elite 8 appearance, a Sweet 16 run, an outright Big Ten title, and more.

According to the former Michigan basketball star, his emotions ran high after making the choice to depart from the program. In fact, Dickinson revealed that he shed tears and experienced a profound emotional response when announcing his decision to move on from Michigan.

Now, this winter, Hunder Dickinson will embark on a new journey — this time, in the Big 12, as he looks to bring the Kansas Jayhawks yet another NCAA national title.

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