Hunter Dickinson Bio
Hunter Ryan Dickinson (born November 25, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on a two-way contract, while also spending time with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. Standing 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) and listed at 255 lb (116 kg), he plays the center position and wears jersey number 4. A consensus All-American at two different schools, Dickinson became the first men’s basketball player to earn All-American recognition at both Michigan and Kansas, a distinction that separates him from his peers.
Before turning professional, Dickinson starred at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he was a Jordan Brand Classic invitee and the 2020 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year. He then played four seasons of college basketball, first for the Michigan Wolverines and later for the Kansas Jayhawks, where he graduated as one of the most decorated big men in recent NCAA history.
Early Life and Background
Hunter Ryan Dickinson was born to Kathy and Tim Dickinson on November 25, 2000, in Alexandria, Virginia. He grew up in a family with a deep athletic background. His mother, Kathy, played volleyball at Niagara, while his father, Tim, competed in collegiate baseball at Buffalo State University. His father is a longtime fan of the Buffalo Bills, a loyalty that Hunter has publicly acknowledged.
Dickinson has three brothers: Ben, Grant, and Jason. His older brother Ben played college basketball at NCAA Division I programs including Binghamton, Loyola Marymount, and UNC Greensboro before finishing as a graduate student at Cal State San Marcos. Brother Grant also played college basketball at T. C. Williams High School and at the Division II level at Concord University, Mount Olive, and the CBU Capers of Atlantic University Sport. The family’s deep involvement in sports shaped Dickinson’s early development and fueled his interest in basketball from a young age.
Path to Basketball
Dickinson attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, beginning in 2016. By his sophomore year in 2017–18, he had grown to 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) and helped DeMatha win its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) championship since 2011. A week later, he earned tournament MVP honors with 31 points in a 64–58 victory over Rock Creek Christian Academy, leading DeMatha to the Maryland private-school championship. As a junior in 2018–19, Dickinson averaged 17.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, and was named a third-team All-Met selection by The Washington Post.
In his senior season, Dickinson averaged 18.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game, leading DeMatha to a WCAC title and earning 2020 All-Met Player of the Year honors. He was also named Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, a three-time first-team All-WCAC selection, and was invited to the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Considered one of the top centers in the class of 2020, Dickinson committed to Michigan over offers from Duke, Florida State, and Notre Dame.
Hunter Dickinson Career
Michigan Years (2020–2023)
Dickinson made his debut for Michigan on November 25, 2020, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds in a 96–82 win over Bowling Green. He went on to win Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors a record seven times that season, including a stretch in which he averaged 22.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in wins over Maryland and Northwestern. He recorded double-doubles in key rivalry games, including a 14-point, 10-rebound effort in a win over Michigan State that clinched the 2020–21 Big Ten regular-season title.
As a freshman, Dickinson averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American. He led Michigan to a #1 seed in the 2021 NCAA tournament, where they reached the Elite Eight before falling to UCLA 51–49. Over three Michigan seasons, he was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, including two first-team honors, and led the team in scoring and rebounding each year.
Kansas Breakthrough (2023–2025)
After entering the transfer portal on March 31, 2023, Dickinson committed to Kansas on May 4, 2023. The 2023–24 Jayhawks opened as the nation’s top-ranked team, and Dickinson was named Big 12 Conference Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason Newcomer of the Year. He began his Kansas career with 27 points and 21 rebounds against Kentucky, becoming the first Big 12 Player since Blake Griffin in 2008 to record 25+ points and 20+ rebounds against a ranked opponent.
Dickinson finished his first Kansas season as the Big 12’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 honors. He was named a consensus second-team All-American, becoming the first men’s basketball player to earn All-American recognition at two different schools. On April 26, 2024, he announced he would return for a fifth season, again earning Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year in 2024–25. He posted career highs of 33 points against Arizona in the regular-season finale and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and third-team All-American recognition from both the AP and USBWA.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2025–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dickinson signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on June 27, 2025, and was also assigned to their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. He made his NBA debut on October 22, 2025, scoring his first basket against the Memphis Grizzlies after injuries opened up rotation minutes at center. On November 7, 2025, he debuted for Birmingham Squadron with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Austin Spurs.
Dickinson’s early professional play has drawn praise for his rim protection and rebounding while drawing criticism for his mobility and footspeed. He is in a positional battle with Karlo Matkovic behind Kevon Looney, and the Pelicans added veteran center DeAndre Jordan to the roster on October 24, 2025, as the team sorts out its rotation at the five.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dickinson became the first men’s basketball player to earn consensus All-American recognition at two different schools, an unprecedented achievement that he accomplished at Michigan in 2021 and Kansas in 2024. He surpassed 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds during his Kansas tenure, joining an elite group of active players to reach both milestones. He also set a Kansas single-game record with 33 points against Arizona on March 8, 2025, matching his career high set earlier at Michigan.
Hunter Dickinson Career Wins
Dickinson has compiled a distinguished résumé of team success at the high school and college levels. He won three WCAC championships at DeMatha Catholic and two Maryland private-school championships, establishing himself as one of the most decorated high school big men of his generation. He also led Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten regular-season title and an Elite Eight run in the NCAA tournament.
Team and Conference Honors
Dickinson won the 2020–21 Big Ten regular-season championship with Michigan and reached two NCAA Sweet Sixteens and one Elite Eight during his three years with the Wolverines. At Kansas, he helped the Jayhawks earn a #4 seed in the 2024 NCAA tournament and was the Big 12’s leading rebounder in his first season. He was a consensus All-American in 2021 and 2024, and a third-team All-American in 2025, giving him three All-American honors across his college career.
Hunter Dickinson Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Dickinson was raised in Alexandria, Virginia, by his parents Kathy and Tim Dickinson, both of whom were collegiate athletes. His mother Kathy played volleyball at Niagara, and his father Tim played collegiate baseball at Buffalo State University. His older brothers Ben and Grant also pursued college basketball, with Ben playing at the NCAA Division I level and Grant at the Division II level, creating a household steeped in competitive sports.
Personal Life
Dickinson is sponsored by Wendy’s and Adidas and is represented through name, image, and likeness (NIL) partnerships. He stands 7 ft 1 in tall and weighs 255 lb, playing center in both college and the professional ranks. Public records indicate no spouse or children as of his professional debut.
2025 Season Performance
Dickinson’s 2025 storyline began with his decision to enter the NBA Draft and his subsequent signing of a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans after going undrafted. The Pelicans also assigned him to their G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, where he is expected to log significant developmental minutes. His two-way deal, valued at approximately $636,000, is guaranteed through January 7, 2026.
In the 2025 NBA Summer League, Dickinson averaged 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across four games, showing flashes of his passing ability while struggling from three-point range. His NBA preseason play drew continued scrutiny over his mobility, and he has been competing with Karlo Matkovic for backup minutes behind Kevon Looney. Injuries to Missi and Matkovic gave him an opportunity to debut for the Pelicans on opening night.
Heading into the 2025–26 NBA regular season, Dickinson’s outlook hinges on his ability to anchor the second unit with rim protection and rebounding. His G League assignment with the Birmingham Squadron will be a key proving ground for refining his conditioning and perimeter skill set as he works toward a more permanent NBA role.