1. Hunter Dickinson – Michigan Wolverines
2022-23 season stats: 18.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg
Recruiting battle: Georgetown vs Maryland vs Kansas vs Kentucky vs Villanova
There’s no question about which offseason recruiting battle everyone is keeping their eyes on. It’s the lone NCAA Basketball All-American, as Dickinson has made a case for being a top-10 player in the sport. He certainly has been elite in the Big Ten, carrying Michigan to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances and a number of 20+ point and/or 10+ rebound games.
At first, it looked like it was going to be a battle of the “DMV” programs in Georgetown and Maryland. Neither of them looked like great fits, with the Hoyas rebuilding with a new head coach and the Terps already having a good five-man.
That’s why the blue bloods have come in to make their case. Kansas has lost a ton of offense and doesn’t have a true center they’re comfortable giving 30 mpg to, while Kentucky needs a backup plan in case former National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe decides to stay in the NBA Draft.
Dickinson currently is on a visit to Villanova, a team that has already landed two transfers (TJ Bamba and Hakim Hart). Coach Kyle Neptune had a rough first season but landing the best player in the transfer portal would be a massive boost to both his and the program’s perception.
Plus, don’t be surprised if there’s another team or two that gets into this big-time recruiting battle.