Michigan's Hunter Dickinson Enters Transfer Portal amid 2023 NBA Draft Speculation

Michigan center Hunter Dickinson will enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

Dickinson has been either first- or second-team All-Big Ten in each of his three years with the Wolverines, averaging 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game during his career.

Michigan coach Juwan Howard discussed the latest news:

The 7'1" player considered leaving for the NBA draft last season before returning for his junior year in 2022-23.

Dickinson once again considered leaving for the NBA draft after this season, discussing the situation in February on the Michigan Insider podcast (h/t Brad Crawford of 247Sports):

"It is really tough, I really do love the University of Michigan. There's a reason why so many alums come back to it. They really do miss the experience here. Of course, the basketball side, having Juwan — it's a super-fun experience for me. I know, for me, my draft stock kind of depends on my team's success and how far my team goes and stuff like that, so I've never really been able to make decision before the end of the season because I've just been weighing on how my team does and how I perform at the end of the season because that's when you're draft stock can raise the highest."

It ended up being a disappointing finish to the year for Michigan, which missed the tournament with an 18-16 record. It was a major change for Dickinson, who helped the squad reach the Sweet 16 last year and the Elite Eight during his freshman season.

The center will now look to make an impact with a new team next year, potentially getting back into the NCAA tournament while improving his stock for the NBA draft.

Dickinson showed improvement as a shooter this past season, finishing 24-of-57 (42.1 percent) from three-point range. He was also better defensively, finishing with a career-best 2.0 defensive win shares, per Sports Reference. Further growth in both areas could help him get drafted after he sat outside of most NBA draft projections this year.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman didn't have Dickinson within his top 50 heading into the NCAA tournament.

Regardless of his NBA potential, the transfer will be a significant one at the college level:

After Michigan guard Jett Howard declared for the draft, the Wolverines could have a difficult time contending in the Big Ten next season.