Here’s a look at Hunter Dickinson’s numbers in his first exhibition as a KU Jayhawk
Big man transfer Hunter Dickinson cashed six baskets but missed seven shots — several in the paint from 4-to-6 feet — while scoring 13 points Thursday in his Kansas basketball debut.
Dickinson, a 7-foot-2, 260-pound former Michigan Wolverine, also grabbed six rebounds with three assists, three turnovers and a steal in the Jayhawks’ 106-71 win over Puerto Rico Select Team at Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum.
“I thought Hunter was tight,” KU coach Bill Self said of Dickinson, who played 21 minutes. “He missed some bunnies, some shots he’d normally make. I didn’t think he played poorly. I didn’t think he was nearly as effective on offense as what he potentially could be.”
Still, Dickinson fit in well running KU’s fast break.
Dajuan Harris, Elmarko Jackson, Arterio Morris and Kevin McCullar were especially effective racing the basketball up and down the court.
“Arterio was a positive,” Self said of former Texas Longhorns guard Morris, who had 20 points, five rebounds, five assists in 20 minutes.
“Other guys played like they are capable of playing. We can get better play out of a couple guys that will certainly elevate our game,” Self added.
As for the opponent, the Puerto Rico Select team was made up of all-stars from the area, some older than 30. Guard Luis Rivera had 20 points with four assists against five turnovers. Four players scored in double figures in the fast-paced game, which KU led 25-7 after the first of four 10-minute stanzas.
“They were good in stretches,” Self said. “They got off to a bad start and got tired. If you get past the initial 25-7 they played us pretty well. They had a couple guys from an experience standpoint who put it on our guys quite a bit.”
Two Puerto Rico TV outlets were on hand to interview Self as well as Morris and KJ Adams after the game.
“We have some really good players. We’re proud to bring our team to different parts of the world,” Self said to one of the local TV reporters. “Our goal here is to get better, figure a way we want to play and have everybody be comfortable with it. This is more fun than pressure.”
Two walk-ons score
In all, Self used 14 players. Walk-on Dillon Wilhite hit two free throws and grabbed two boards in two minutes. Patrick Cassidy, a former KU team manager, hit a layup and also had a rebound in his two minutes.
Self was also pleased with the team’s 3-point shooting, which eclipsed 41% on Thursday.
