Hunter Dickinson Leads Kansas to Top Spot in AP Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll

Hunter Dickinson, the standout center for the Kansas Jayhawks, has been a key factor in the team’s ascent to the top spot in the Associated Press (AP) preseason men’s basketball poll for the 2024-25 season. This marks the second consecutive year and the fifth time in the Bill Self era that Kansas has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll.

Dickinson, a 7’2″ graduate student, was named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and is a 2024 Consensus All-America Second Team selection. He was also honored as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and was the only player in the Big 12 to average a double-double last season, with 17.9 points per game and 10.9 rebounds per game.

Alongside Dickinson, Kansas returns two other starters: graduate guard Dajuan Harris Jr. and forward KJ Adams Jr. Harris, a three-time all-league honoree, was the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, while Adams was named the 2023 Big 12 Most Improved Player.

Kansas received 30 of the 60 first-place votes in the AP poll, solidifying their position ahead of Alabama, UConn, Houston, and Iowa State, which round out the top five. Coach Bill Self emphasized that while being ranked No. 1 in the preseason is an honor, the ultimate goal is to be No. 1 at the end of the season.