Michigan center Hunter Dickinson says NIL makes college basketball ‘the best of both worlds’
On3 caught up with Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson earlier this week at the NIL Summit in Atlanta to discuss Michigan NIL and the new trend in college basketball.
When asked about top players including himself, Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, North Carolina’s Armando Bacot, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe and others going against the norm and returning to school for another year, Dickinson was straightforward about how significant NIL has become in the decision-making process.
“I think NIL played a factor with all of us,” Dickinson told On3. “Being able to not have to worry about money but also being able to play college basketball, I think, was the best of both worlds for a lot of us.”
As one of the more outspoken student-athletes regarding Michigan NIL efforts and how these deals will impact the university’s ability to stay competitive, the 7-foot-1, 260-pound junior also seemed intrigued by the new Champions Circle collective which launched last week.
“I think it’s something that’s super interesting, and I’m excited to see how that works out,” Dickinson added, via Andy Wittry.
Dickinson later spoke on a panel with Rutgers guard Geo Baker, Auburn gymnast Derrian Gobourne and Florida gymnast Leah Clapper.
Sophomore recap: Michigan center Hunter Dickinson
Dickinson started all 32 games during the 2021-22 season as the Wolverines brought home a Big Ten regular season title and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen as an 11-seed. His 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game were good enough to lead the Wolverines in both categories for the second-straight year while becoming an All-Big Ten selection and consensus All-American.
Only 12 points and 20 rebounds separate Dickinson from being the 31st player in program history to join the 1000/500 club.
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