LAWRENCE, Kan. — Hunter Dickinson made his return to the court for the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Monday night after missing two exhibition games due to a minor injury. He showcased his skills in the team’s opening game, contributing 16 points to a resounding 87-57 win against Howard.

Looking ahead, Kansas is gearing up for a more formidable opponent, as they will face No. 9 North Carolina on Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

“It felt really good to be back on the court,” Dickinson expressed. “I definitely experienced some rust, particularly in my finishing. I might not have played a full 35 minutes, but a few more minutes would have been manageable. Thankfully, we have several days to prepare for the challenging game ahead.”

During his 21 minutes of play, Dickinson made 5 of 8 shots and also recorded six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. He expressed satisfaction with his defensive efforts, stating, “As a team, we effectively managed their plays. That’s something we focused on extensively during practice.”

Kansas head coach Bill Self shared his positive thoughts on Dickinson’s performance but couldn’t resist a lighthearted comment. “He showed some signs of losing rhythm,” Self remarked when discussing Dickinson’s gameplay. “He was slightly out of sync, but it was essential for him to be on the floor.”

“I thought he did reasonably well. His unselfish nature stands out—he’s an excellent teammate and passer. Although clearly, he hasn’t fully regained his stamina yet.”

This season marks Dickinson’s second year at Kansas after transferring from Michigan. He noted his growing comfort with the team, saying, “Even though I’ve only been here a year, I feel like a veteran now. I view myself as one of the experienced players on this team. Every game at Allen Fieldhouse carries its significance. I strive not to take these moments for granted; playing in front of our fans is a true privilege.”

North Carolina, their upcoming opponent, also started the season with a strong performance, defeating Elon 90-76. Dickinson acknowledged the talent of the Tar Heels’ backcourt, stating, “It will be challenging to defend against their trio of guards; they have one of the top backcourts nationally.”

However, he feels confident the Jayhawks are on track to tackle the challenge, attributing it to their rigorous practice sessions. “Competing against ourselves is likely our best preparation,” he added. “If we live up to the expectations of being the No. 1 team in the country, we should elevate each other’s game during the next three days of practice.”