Transfer Portal Update: Hunter Dickinson In Play for KU 😲

The Jayhawks appear to have identified their top target in the portal

Apr 06, 2023

In this Hearings newsletter:

Transfer Portal Targets 🎯
KU-UConn Date Announced 📆
Scoops Madness Update 💰

First, The following are the latest names KU appears to be targeting in the transfer portal.

I'm not a recruiting expert by any means. This list will look way different in a week, as these Hearings are as fluid as they get. I could see another big name entering the portal and changing a lot of things for the Jayhawks, too. Just a hunch.

As always, please keep spreading the word to support The Hearings! We are rapidly approaching 4,000 subscribers. If everyone tells one friend or group chat to subscribe, we could hit it by Monday.

Here are possible transfer portal targets for KU:

Hunter Dickinson | Michigan | Big | Senior ❗️📈

Dickinson is the current No. 1 priority of the transfer portal class. Kansas is genuinely in the mix here. The great Eric Bossi of 247Sports reported KU, Georgetown, Maryland, and Villanova as the early leaders. Arkansas is also in the mix, and Kentucky had a Zoom meeting with Dickinson on Wednesday, according to Jeff Goodman.

It would make sense to assume KU's biggest competition here is Kentucky, but I'm not sure that's the case. I'm Hearing the Wildcats are currently an unlikely landing spot (this could easily change). Instead, KU's most significant competition lives on the East Coast.
Everything changes for the Jayhawks if they land the 7'1" big man who can stretch the floor. A roster with Dajuan Harris and Dickinson immediately makes KU a title contender.

Nick Timberlake | Towson | Guard | Super Senior 📈📈

Timberlake is visiting Lawrence this weekend, according to On3sports. KU wants him, as he fills an immediate need for a three-point threat. The fit makes a lot of sense here for both parties. North Carolina is thought to be a major player here as well.
The sharp-shooting guard scored more than 30 points in February action three times. If Timberlake is KU's second-best portal addition, the staff did good. If he's KU's third-best, they did great.

Primo Spears | Georgetown | Guard | Junior 📈

Correction: Spears is visiting Lawrence next weekend, according to On3sports. I originally wrote he’s visiting this weekend. His top four schools are KU, Arkansas, TCU, and Florida State.
The 6'3" guard was Georgetown's lone bright spot in a miserable year. He averaged 16 ppg with one of the best assist rates in the country. He'd have to adjust to a vastly different role at KU. For example, he took 31 shots and scored 37 points at Xavier this year.
However, Spears brings a unique ability as a player who can get his own shot when things break down. The Jayhawks need a player like that on the perimeter.

Hakim Hart | Maryland | Wing | Super Senior 📈

The 6'8" wing is testing the NBA Draft waters while entering the transfer portal. The fit makes sense for the Jayhawks, as the well-rounded veteran could quickly slot into Kevin McCullar's role.

Jamille Reynolds | Temple | Big | Junior ↔️

The big man from Temple's top five schools are KU, Cincinnati, Mississippi St., South Carolina, and UCF. Reynolds is a solid backup plan if things don't work out with Dickinson.
Here's what I said previously: KU fans were surprised to see an in-home visit with Reynolds, reported Tuesday. I assume this is because his numbers at first glance aren’t exciting (10 pts and 5 rebs per game). His advanced stats will tell a much better story, which I’ll get into if the Reynolds conversation moves forward.

Kadin Shedrick | Virginia | Big | Senior ↔️

Kansas is in the running for the 6'11" big man. Like Reynolds, Shedrick makes sense as a capable big who can bring depth and experience to the roster. Some other major schools, like Duke and Indiana, are players here.

Spencer Jones | Stanford | Wing | Super Senior ↔️

I mentioned Jones in my last portal update. He'd be a fifth-year senior out of Bishop Miege high school in KC, and I see why the long, sharp-shooting wing would be enticing for Kansas. He fills the Hakim Hart type of role.
I don't know if Jones has even entered the portal yet. He remains a name to watch for now.

Khalif Battle | Temple | Guard | Redshirt Junior 📉

Previously one of KU's top targets, Battle's odds of landing in Lawrence are trending down. Battle is visiting Arkansas and has already made a stop at UCF.

Graham Ike | Wyoming | Big | Senior (?) 📉📉

- Ike once appeared to be a top target before Dickinson entered the Portal. Providence is considered the leader here.

- What I said previously: Post-focused scoring and rebounding big. Not much of a rim protector. He didn’t play for Wyoming this season with a foot injury, so I’m guessing he’d get a medical redshirt if he wanted it. Would give him at least two more years to play. Likely a top target as well.

Harrison Ingram | Stanford | Wing | Junior ❓

The former five-star wing has now entered the portal, but there hasn't been much chatter with KU lately. North Carolina appears to be pushing hard here. This could change quickly if the Jayhawks get involved.

TJ Bamba | Washington State | Guard | Senior 📉

I haven't Heard much about Bamba since the last update. Bamba is a proven scoring guard who would start next to Harris. He’s also exploring entering the NBA Draft.

KU-UCONN in The Phog

JUST IN: Kansas will host UConn in the Big 12-Big East Battle on Friday, December 1, 2023.

✅ Students will still be on campus.

✅ It’s a Friday night.

✅ The last two National Champs at Allen Fieldhouse.

Yeah, this is gonna be fun.

Scoops Madness Update

Congrats to Adam Peterson for taking home the NIL Bracket Challenge! We raised $3,320 for the NIL Collective supporting KU in basically 24 hours. Thank you so much for your support.

This won’t be the last time we do something to support athletes at KU.