Report: Kentucky to Meet With Michigan Transfer Hunter Dickinson

Dickinson is one of the biggest names in the portal after spending three seasons in Ann Arbor.

Kentucky suffered its second loss to the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon, as it was reported that center Ugonna Onyenso is leaving Lexington after one season.

The loss of the 6-foot-11 freshman is a big blow to the Wildcat frontcourt, as both Onyenso and head coach John Calipari had previously touched on the excitement that surrounded a potential second season at UK for the Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria native. Onyenso's rim protection and defensive prowess was eye-popping, as he blocked 16 shots in just 110 minutes this season. 

With superstar forward Oscar Tshiebwe expected to head to the NBA draft and the statuses of fellow bigs Daimion Collins and Lance Ware still up in the air, UK will likely have to turn to the transfer portal for help in the paint. 

Within hours of Onyenso's reported entry into the portal, a report surfaced of Kentucky making contact with a veteran big — Michigan's Hunter Dickinson. Stadium's Jeff Goodman tweeted that the three-year Wolverine was meeting with Kentucky via Zoom on Wednesday:

Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson is set to have a zoom meeting with Kentucky today, source close to Dickinson told @Stadium.

Dickinson obviously getting plenty of love from nearly all the high-majors.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 5, 2023

After unofficially visiting UK in high school, Dickinson eventually chose Michigan, where he became one of the most high-profile forwards in the country. He played 94 games in maize and blue, averaging 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds-per-game. The 7-foot-1 Alexandria, Va. native faced off against Kentucky in the Basketball Hall of Fame London Showcase on Dec. 4 in England, totaling 23 points, nine boards and three blocks in a loss. 

Multiple big programs will likely be in on the forward, but it appears as though Kentucky will make a run at bringing Dickinson from Ann Arbor to Lexington. 

More Wildcats who have announced decisions can be found HERE.

Pros and Cons of Tshiebwe Returning for a Third Season at Kentucky

More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.

More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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