The anticipation surrounding the 2024-25 basketball season for the Kansas Jayhawks is at an all-time high, largely due to the decision of standout center Hunter Dickinson to return for another year. Dickinson, who earned Second Team Consensus All-American honors, showcased his dominance on the court last season, averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game over 33 appearances.
Amidst the speculation of Dickinson’s future, he ultimately chose to forego the NBA Draft and commit to another season with the Jayhawks. His announcement, alongside head coach Bill Self, was made in a unique manner that caught the attention of the college basketball world.
Hey @RyanKalkbrenner , it sounds like @CoachBillSelf and @H_Dickinson24 are coming to Omaha on December 4th. I could use your help that night…..what do you think?
— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) May 1, 2024
Following Kansas’ lead, other programs have adopted a similar approach to announce the return of their star players. One such instance occurred at Creighton University, where coach Greg McDermott and player Ryan Kalkbrenner coordinated their announcement via Twitter. Kalkbrenner’s confirmation tweet, humorously referencing his girlfriend, echoed the style of Dickinson’s announcement.
Hey @H_Dickinson24, have you made a decision yet? Everybody wants to know what you’re thinking
— Bill Self (@CoachBillSelf) April 26, 2024
The timing of these announcements coincides with the anticipation of upcoming matchups, notably the Big East-Big 12 Battle. As the Jayhawks prepare to face Creighton, the return of Kalkbrenner sets the stage for an exciting showdown in the paint against Dickinson.
While some may view Creighton’s announcement as a playful nod to Kansas, Dickinson’s positive response suggests that it was all in good spirits, highlighting the camaraderie and sportsmanship within collegiate athletics.
