Hunter Dickinson injury update: Bill Self says Kansas star has 'no limitations'
Kansas’ postseason hopes have already taken a significant hit with the loss of Kevin McCullar Jr. for the tournament. However, thankfully for the Jayhawks, it doesn’t look like their chances will take another due to Hunter Dickinson’s status.
Bill Self provided an update on Dickinson ahead of Kansas’ matchup tonight with Samford in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. He said that their 7’2 center is feeling well and will be ready to go following his shoulder injury.
“No, no. No limitations,” said Self. “The question we had initially was if he tried to go up and dunk the ball hard, hang on with one arm. Something like that. But there has been no limitations.”
Still, this doesn’t mean that Dickinson is necessarily in tip-top shape. It’s the kind of injury that could come into play in the game with the wrong hit. At least going into it, though, he has done well enough to return to the lineup for the postseason.
“That doesn’t mean he can’t get a stung and come right back but he has done really well so far,” said Self.
Dickinson dislocated his shoulder in the final game of the regular season at Houston. He avoided anything like a surgery but missed the Jayhawks’ appearance in the Big 12 Tournament. They lost their only game there by 20 to Cincinnati without him or McCullar.
Dickinson is Kansas’ second-leading scorer, just barely behind McCullar, and their leader in rebounding and blocks. In his first season in Lawrence, he averaged 18 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 55%.
The injury report for Kansas is one that many have been following closely as they enter March Madness. That has especially been so with McCullar now officially out after dealing with his own issues to end the year.
However, come tip-off tonight against the Bulldogs in Salt Lake City, Dickinson won’t be on it. He will be good to go with plenty of weight set to go on his shoulders now.
McCullar ‘devastated’ to not play in the NCAA Tournament
Kevin McCullar will not play in this year’s NCAA Tournament. It’s a big blow for the Jayhawks as they seek to make a deep postseason run.
The talented guard was ruled out by Bill Self on Tuesday due to knee soreness. McCullar chimed in on the decision and how painful it was for him on Twitter on Tuesday.
“In regard to me not playing in March Madness, if I could play, I would,” McCullar wrote. “I am more devastated than anyone, knowing that I can’t play & compete alongside my team and that my college career has now come to an end.
“I have done everything that I possibly could have done to get back playing at a high level to help my team.”
McCullar explained all the things he had done to try to get back on the court which ultimately were unsuccessfully.
“This included 6-7 hours a day with the training staff at Kansas for over a month now, while not participating in practice but competing in games,” Kevin McCullar wrote. “While trying various treatment options, it’s simply not where it needs to be to play the game. With a collective agreement between myself, the coaches, and the Kansas team doctors, it was decided that I should not play.”
Unfortunately for him, he won’t be able to suit up when Kansas in March Madness. Still, as they take on No. 13 Samford, he will be supporting his team.
“This is the best time of the year and I wish I was able to help my brothers & KU on the court during this time, but unfortunately I cannot,” Kevin McCullar wrote. “I will be supporting them in Utah and the rest of this March run!”