Former Kansas star Hunter Dickinson reveals the pressures of playing for a top program, detailing why his season felt like a chore and fan negativity took its toll.
Hunter Dickinson: Kansas Season ‘Felt Like a Job,’ Cites Fan Negativity
Kansas center Hunter Dickinson offered a blunt assessment of last season, saying it “felt like a job” and “was no longer fun” during an appearance on the Run Your Race podcast.
In the clip shared on social media, Dickinson said he “didn’t feel supported at times” because of negative feedback from some Kansas fans. He also pointed to internal issues, adding that “a few” teammates were ready for the season to end and had “checked out early.”
The comments highlight potential chemistry and morale concerns within a program that entered the year with high expectations under head coach Bill Self. Kansas faced inconsistency throughout the season while operating under constant media, fan and national scrutiny.
“For me, it got to a point where, I didn’t like playing,” Dickinson said on the podcast. “We would come to the gym and it felt like a job.”
Public reaction has been mixed. Some fans pushed back on Dickinson’s remarks, while others pointed to the pressure college athletes face at a high-profile program.
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Bill Self Confident Kansas Can Reset Ahead of NCAA Tournament Opener
Bill Self believes Kansas is in a good spot mentally heading into the NCAA Tournament, even after a disappointing end to the Big 12 tournament.
The Jayhawks earned a No. 4 seed in the East Region and will face California Baptist Lancers on Friday in San Diego. Self said the extra time before the game should benefit his team.
“I actually like that it’s on Friday,” Self said. “Just to give us an extra day so we could use some practice time. So I like that.”
Kansas held a spirited practice Sunday and reviewed film from the Big 12 tournament, where the Jayhawks struggled offensively in a semifinal loss to Houston Cougars men's basketball.
“I actually thought we were great today,” Self said. “We watched tape of Kansas City and then watched tape from when we were playing much better. We had a very spirited practice.”
Self said the extra time also allowed the coaching staff to rest guard Melvin Council Jr., who has carried a heavy workload late in the season.
“We say it all the time — we’re beating him up, we’re burning him out,” Self said. “His body’s never been through anything like this before. He’ll be fresher and ready to go in large part because of the extra time.”
Kansas will face a California Baptist team making its first NCAA tournament appearance. Self said experience in the tournament isn’t always a deciding factor.
“It’s the first time some of our guys have made it too,” Self said. “I don’t know that that’s a huge factor.”
Self also acknowledged the challenge of the Jayhawks’ region, which includes several strong teams near the top of the bracket.
“Yeah, I think it’s hard,” Self said. “But I also think this year the three through six seeds seem closer than maybe they have been in years past.”
Despite the uneven finish to the conference tournament, Self believes the Jayhawks can quickly regain momentum once the tournament begins.
“Are we on a serious roll right now? I don’t feel that,” Self said. “But I also know what one win in the NCAA tournament automatically does for you from a momentum standpoint.”