Kansas center Hunter Dickinson named AP Preseason All-American

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Ahead of his second season at Kansas, center Hunter Dickinson has been named a preseason All-American by the Associated Press.

Dickinson, who ed the Jayhawks following a transfer from Michigan last year, averaged 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game for KU during the 2023-24 season. The 7-foot-2 center from Alexandria, Virginia, leads the preseason No. 1 ranked Jayhawks.

ing Dickinson on the preseason All-America team are North Carolina guard RJ Davis, Alabama guard Mark Sears, Auburn forward Johni Broome, Arizona guard Caleb Love and Duke freshman Cooper Flagg.

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Along with being the No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll, Kansas was picked to win the Big 12 in a preseason poll of the league’s 16 coaches. Those coaches also voted Dickinson as the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots under pressure from Kansas State forward Arthur... — Kansas center Hunter Dickinson (1) shoots under pressure from Kansas State forward Arthur Kaluma (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Charlie Riedel | AP)

The AP said Love and Flagg tied for the final spot, creating a six-man team that consists of only players from the ACC, Big 12 and SEC.

Sears was a near-unanimous selection, earning all but one vote from the 55-person national media following a Final Four appearance for his Crimson Tide team in April.

Following an exhibition game Friday, Oct. 25 at Arkansas, and a home exhibition against Washburn on Oct. 29, Kansas opens the regular season on Nov. 4 with a game against Howard at Allen Fieldhouse.

Dickinson and the Jayhawks face a daunting schedule this season that includes matchups against three of the other five of the preseason AP All-America team.

Arizona guard Caleb Love and the Wildcats will visit Lawrence, Kan., on March 8. He's one of... — Arizona guard Caleb Love and the Wildcats will visit Lawrence, Kan., on March 8. He's one of three preseason AP All-Americans the Jayhawks are scheduled to face on their schedule.(Mike Christy | Mike Christy / Arizona Athletics)

On Nov. 8, North Carolina and Davis visit Allen Fieldhouse for an opening week matchup. On Nov. 26, Dickinson and Flagg will square off when Kansas and Duke meet in Las Vegas. Finally, Caleb Love and the first-year Big 12 member Arizona Wildcats will come to Lawrence on Senior Day, March 8.