.jpg) Dickinson withMichigan in 2022 | |
| No. 1 – Kansas Jayhawks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Big 12 Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (2000-11-25)November 25, 2000 (age 24)[1] Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Listed height | 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) |
| Listed weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Maryland) |
| College | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Hunter Dickinson (born November 25, 2000)[1] is an Americancollege basketball player for theKansas Jayhawks. He previously played for theMichigan Wolverines.
Dickinson was named a consensus second-team2021 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American as a freshman for the2020–21 Big Ten regular season champion Michigan Wolverines. During his tenure, Michigan reached theNCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen twice (Elite Eight once). He was a three-time All-Big Ten (2x first team) honoree, leading Michigan in scoring and rebounding in all three seasons. Dickinson transferred to Kansas as a senior, where he was a2024 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American and a first team All-Big 12 Conference honoree. He was granted a fifth year of eligibility and was the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year for a consecutive season in 2024-25.
In high school, Dickinson was aJordan Brand Classic honoree and the MarylandGatorade Player of the Year in 2020, as well as a two-time state champion atDeMatha Catholic High School.
Dickinson attendedDeMatha Catholic High School inHyattsville, Maryland. As an entering freshman in 2016, the highly regarded Dickinson joined a lineup that includedJosh Carlton.[2] At the time, he stood at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m).[3] By April of his freshman season, he had offers fromPenn State andNotre Dame as well as interest from many top programs.[4] In June 2017, he was ranked as the number 9 prospect in the national class of 2020 and number 2Washington metropolitan area prospect (behind number 1 overallIsaiah Todd) byESPN.[5]
By December 2017, Dickinson had grown to 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m).[6] As a sophomore, he helped his team capture its firstWashington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) championship since 2011, on February 26, 2018. Then Dickinson helped DeMatha win the Maryland private school championship on March 6 against Rock Creek Christian Academy, scoring 31 points in the 64–58 victory.[7] Dickinson was named to the First Team All-WCAC alongside teammateJustin Moore.[8] He was a third team All-Met selection byThe Washington Post, joining junior teammate Moore (1st team) and fellow sophomoreEarl Timberlake (fourth team).[9] Following his sophomore season, he was considered (along withJeremy Roach) one of the two best players in the DC metro area class of 2020,[10] withUSA Today ranking him 18th in the nation.[11]
The class of 2020 was the first junior class to benefit from expanded official visit rules (from 5 total to 5 as a junior, 5 as a senior and 5 as a collegiate transfer). Dickinson visitedPurdue in September 2018.[12] As a junior, he was ranked as the number 4center in the national class of 2020 by247Sports, but regarded as more of a versatile center with the ability to stretch the court, making him better suited to high level competition than centers like DC metro rivalQudus Wahab, who focused on the traditional skill set for a basketball big man.[13] Although DeMatha was knocked out of the WCAC tournament before the finals by a Casey Morsell-ledSt. John's College High School, they repeated as Maryland private school champions. Dickinson led the team to three consecutive double-digit victories. He earned tournament MVP and posted 20 points in the 85–53 championship game victory over Rock Creek.[14] In his junior season, Dickinson averaged 17.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.[15] On February 11, 2020, he recorded 40 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in a 71–63 win overSt. John's College High School.[16] Despite not making athree-pointer in November and December 2019, Dickinson shot 40 percent from three-point range during his senior year.[17] As a senior, Dickinson averaged 18.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 blocks per game, leading his team to a WCAC title.[citation needed] Dickinson repeated as a third team All-Met selection byThe Washington Post, joining senior teammate Moore (1st team, player of the year), fellow junior Timberlake (second team) and seniorJahmir Young (honorable mention).[18]
In April 2019, Dickinson was one of 55 athletes invited to compete for a position on the 12-manUnited States men's national under-19 basketball team to participate in the2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.[19] That June, he was one of 31 players inColorado Springs during the camp and selection process.[20] Dickinson had been one of the key class of 2020 targets (along withJabri Abdur-Rahim) forJohn Beilein's staff when Beilein announced he would be departing to coach theCleveland Cavaliers in May 2019.[21]Juwan Howard was named coach on May 22 and made an offer to Dickinson on June 26. TheDetroit Free Press reported that Dickinson said Michigan was the most aggressive pursuer of his talents.[22] In July, Dickinson listed the top 7 contenders for his services:Purdue,Florida State,Louisville, Michigan,North Carolina,Notre Dame andProvidence.[23] By that August, Dickinson was ranked 30th in the national class of 2020 by247Sports.[24] By the time he cut his list toDuke, Florida State, Michigan and Notre Dame in October, he was ranked 34th by 247 Sports.[25] At the time of hisTwitter video verbal commitment to Michigan on December 20, his 34th ranking placed him sixth among centers. Todd was among the other verbal commits to Michigan.[26][27] On January 1, 2020, Dickinson's AAU teammate Terrance Williams (84th overall, 17thpower forward) verbally committed to Michigan.[28] In April 2023,MLive.com reporter Andrew Kahn reported that Dickinson verbally committed Michigan in early December by calling private a meeting with Howard and assistant coachPhil Martelli on a day when they were in town to scout him at a tournament at DeMatha's home court. Dickinson stated that he felt Howard was the best coach to develop Dickinson's game.[29]
By late January 2020, Dickinson was ranked 37th (behind Timberlake at 31), but he got a chance to go head-to-head against the number one rankedEvan Mobley and his Rancho Christian team. Dickinson outscored him 28–22 and led DeMatha to a 72–65 victory at the January 21, 2020 Hoophall Classic.[30] Dickinson and Timberlake led DeMatha to a 70–56 WCAC championship game victory over the Roach-ledPaul VI Catholic High School.[31][32] Dickinson earned 2020 All-Met Player of the Year and WCAC Player of the Year honors,[33][34] and was named MarylandGatorade Player of the Year for his success in basketball and academics, and his exemplary character.[35] He graduated as a three-time first-team All-WCAC selection.[36] Dickinson was invited to play in theJordan Brand Classic.[37] He was joined on the All-Met first team by Roach, Timberlake,Corey Dyches,Trevor Keels,Benny Williams, Avery Ford, Xavier Lipscomb, Ronald Polite and future teammate Terrance Williams.[38] By April 17 when he signed hisNational Letter of Intent with Michigan he was ranked 32nd overall and 6th at the center position, according to 247Sports.[39] He joined a Michigan frontline that some thought would return sophomoreColin Castleton and 5th-year Austin Davis (2016Mr. Basketball of Michigan runner-up).[40][41] However, on April 9, Castleton (who had lost the role asJon Teske's backup to Davis) decided to enter the transfer portal.[42] Castleton committed toFlorida on April 26.[43]
Dickinson was a consensus four-starrecruit and ranked as the second-best player from Maryland in the 2020 class (behind Timberlake).[44] On December 20, 2019, he committed to playing college basketball forMichigan over offers fromDuke,Florida State andNotre Dame.[17][45] He was drawn by his relationship with head coachJuwan Howard and Michigan's strength and conditioning program.[46]
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Dickinson C | Alexandria, VA | DeMatha Catholic (MD) | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | Dec 20, 2019 | |
Star ratings:Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 87 | ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals:40 247Sports:50 ESPN:41 | ||||||
Sources:
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In his debut for Michigan on November 25, 2020, Dickinson scored 11 points and had eight rebounds in a 96–82 win againstBowling Green.[47] Dickinson averaged 13.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and one block per game and shot 73.3 percent from the floor (11-for-15) in wins overBall State andCentral Florida. He also recorded his first careerdouble-double with 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in the Wolverines' 84–65 win against Ball State. Following his outstanding performance, he was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week of December 7.[48] Dickinson averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots per game in wins overToledo andPenn State, and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week of December 14 for the second consecutive week.[49] On December 25, Dickinson recorded 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, for his second career double-double, in an 80–69 victory againstNebraska.[50] He was subsequently named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week of December 28.[51] On December 31, Dickinson recorded a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, for his third career double-double in an 84–73 victory againstMaryland.[52] Dickinson averaged 22.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in wins over Maryland and then-ranked No. 19/No. 22 Northwestern to help the Wolverines improve to 9–0 on the season. He finished the week shooting 18-for-23 from the field (.782 pct.) and 9-of-12 from the foul line (.750 pct.) for an overall shooting percentage of 78, and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week of January 4, 2021, his fourth Freshman of the Week accolade of his career.[53] He followed this up with a 28-point performance on January 6 againstMinnesota.[54] Dickinson went on to earn the award 7 times, which was second in conference history toJared Sullinger.[55] The2020–21 Wolverines finished as the2020–21 Big Ten regular season champions. In the clinching game on March 4, Michigan defeatedMichigan State 69–50 in arivalry game with 14 points and 10 rebounds from Dickinson for his fifth career double-double.[56][57] They earned a number 1 seed in the2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They reached the elite eight round of the tournament, where they lost to #11 seedUCLA 51-49, ending their season.[58][59]
Dickinson led Michigan in scoring (14.1), rebounding (7.4), double-doubles (5) and 10+ rebounding games (5). He helped Michigan extend its list to three straight years with a player on the All-Freshman team, joiningIgnas Brazdeikis (2019) andFranz Wagner (2020). Following an outstanding season, Dickinson was named first-team All-Big Ten by the media, second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches (along withIsaiah Livers and Wagner), a Big Ten All-Freshman honoree and the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year.[60][61] He was also named a consensus second teamAll-American, becoming Michigan's first consensus All-American sinceNik Stauskas in2014 and 13th all time.[62][63] Dickinson declared himself eligible for the2021 NBA draft on May 26.[64] As of June 14, he was not projected to be drafted.[65] As the July 7 deadline approached he was not listed above the mid second round by anyone, and on July 6, he decided his best option was to return to Michigan.[66][67]
For the third time in school history (Juwan Howard/Jalen Rose (1993-94) andMitch McGary/Glenn Robinson III (2013-14)), Michigan had 2 Preseason All-Big Ten honorees as Dickinson was named along with incoming freshmanCaleb Houstan. Dickinson was one of five unanimous Preseason All-Big Ten selections (along with Conference Preseason Player of the YearKofi Cockburn,Trayce Jackson-Davis,E.J. Liddell andJaden Ivey).[68] As a sophomore, Dickinson's earned Big Ten Conference Player of the Week for the week of January 17–23, 2022 for his play againstMaryland andIndiana when he averaged 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 points, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block.[69] He posted a career-high 33 points in therivalry game againstMichigan State for interim coachPhil Martelli in an 87–70 victory on March 1.[70] Dickinson was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media as well as the All-Defensive Team.[71] Then, during the2022 NCAA tournament on March 19, Michigan defeated (No. 5 AP Poll/No. 8 Coaches Poll)Tennessee 76–68 in the second round to upset the No. 3 seed in the South Region. Michigan was led by Dickinson with 27 points, including 3-of-5 on three-point field goals, 11 rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal. With the win, the Wolverines advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the fifth consecutive tournament.[72][73] Dickinson also earned Academic All-Big Ten Team recognition as well asCoSIDA Academic All-District recognition for his 3.32GPA, making him one of three Big Ten basketball players among the 40 finalist for the 15-manAcademic All-America team.[74][75][76] For the season Dickinson averaged 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists.[77] Dickinson repeated as the team leader in scoring and rebounding,[78] becoming the fourth Wolverine to lead the team in both of those categories multiple times.[79] Following the first season after theNational Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston ruling enabled college and pre-college athletes to earn significantStudent athlete compensation, without losing athletic scholarship eligibility, he announced he would return for another season in April.[80][81]
Dickinson entered the season as one of three unanimous Preseason All-Big Ten selection (along with Preseason Conference Player of the Year Jackson-Davis andZach Edey).[82] On November 8, 2022, in a 75–56 victory overPurdue Fort Wayne, Dickinson recorded a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds, for his 18th career double-double. Dickinson reached 1,000 career points on a free throw with 3:43 remaining in the first half, becoming the 57th Wolverine to reach the milestone.[83] That week, he earned Big Ten Player of the Week, averaging 26.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots.[84] On November 16, in a 91–60 victory overPittsburgh in the semifinals of theLegends Classic, Dickinson recorded 11 points and seven rebounds. With seven rebounds, Dickinson became the 46th Wolverine to reach the 500-rebound milestone. After reaching 1,000 points in the season-opener against Purdue Fort Wayne, he became the 31st member of Michigan's 1,000-point/500-rebound club.[85] On January 1, Dickinson posted his third career 30-point game with a 32-point/12-rebound effort againstMaryland,[86] which contributed to him being named Big Ten Player of the week on January 3.[87] On February 26, Dickinson scored abuzzer-beating three-point shot to force overtime in an 87–79 victory overWisconsin.[88][89] On March 2, Dickinson scored 31 points and a career high 16 rebounds in an 87–91 double-overtime loss toIllinois, becoming the 22nd Wolverine to reach the 1,500 point milestone. With his 31 points, Dickinson surpassed current head coachJuwan Howard (1,526) for 20th on Michigan's all-time scoring list.[90] On March 5, Dickinson scored 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 73–75 overtime loss toIndiana. With 14 rebounds, Dickinson became the ninth Wolverine to surpass the 750-rebound mark, and the sixth Wolverine to reach 1,500 points and 750 rebounds.[91] Following the regular season, he earned All-Big Ten 1st team recognition from the media and 2nd team recognition from the coaches, along with Michigan's 3rd team selectionsKobe Bufkin andJett Howard.[92][93] He was anAssociated Press honorable mention2023 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans.[94] On March 18, during the second round of the2023 National Invitation Tournament, Dickinson recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds, for his 31st career double-double. With his double-double Dickinson tiedLoy Vaught for sixth most all time in Michigan program history.[95] Dickinson repeated as an Academic All-Big Ten Team selectee.[96] In 2022, the renamedCollege Sports Communicators revamped the Academic All-America program, increasing eligibility from 3.3 GPA to 3.5 GPA.[97] For the season, Dickinson averaged 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. For his Michigan career, he averaged 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks and shot 57% from the field in 94 games.[77] Dickinson led the team in scoring and rebounding for a third season.[78]
On March 31, Dickinson announced he was entering theNCAA transfer portal.[98] His stated intention at the time was to graduate from Michigan following the Summer 2023 semester.[99] He was regarded as the top rated men's basketball player (ahead ofMax Abmas andKel'el Ware) in the portal in 2023. He had offers from many schools, includingKansas,Villanova,Kentucky,Maryland andGeorgetown.[100][101] Dickinson took unofficial visits to his hometown programs Maryland and Georgetown who both had changed coaches since his high school recruitment. He described the visits as having been scheduled as unplanned.[102] His high school coach,Mike Jones, had become an assistant coach at Maryland.[103] Then he visited Kansas.[104] He also visited Kentucky and Villanova before making his final decision to leave Michigan on May 3.[105] Dickinson's departure would make way for returning sophomoreTarris Reed.[78] However, playing time was not believed to be the reason for his departure. Michigan's failure to make the2023 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, and its dim championship prospects was one speculated reason. Another was the likelihood that he could procure a superiorName, image and likeness compensation package, despite his endorsements withLowe's,Ritz Crackers, andOutback Steakhouse.[106] In a May 2023episode of a podcast he co-hosts withBarstool Sports' Marty Mush andJordan Bohannon, Dickinson said that he made less than $100 thousand ($107.4 thousand in 2024 assuming deals were negotiated in 2022 dollars) for the2022–23 NCAA basketball season and that theWolverines were unwilling to guarantee him an acceptable higher number.[107] Dickinson' 2022-23 market value had been estimated to be $868 thousand ($932.7 thousand in 2024) and $1700 ($1826.6 in 2024) per social media post.[108] The 2022-23National Basketball Association (NBA)Two-way contract value was $502 thousand ($539.4 thousand in 2024), which was half of the rookie minimum salary, $1.004 million ($1.08 million in 2024).[109]
Dickinson committed to Kansas on May 4, 2023.[77][103] The2023–24 Jayhawks began the season as the number one ranked team in the country.[110] Dickinson was first player to be named both the Big 12 Conference Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason Newcomer of the Year.[111] He was also named to theAssociated Press preseason All-American team.[112] Dickinson got off to a fast start at Kansas, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the week on November 13, for averaging 19.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in his first two games.[113] On November 14, 2023, Dickinson took advantage of aKentucky Wildcats lineup that was without 7 foot (2.1 metres) big menAaron Bradshaw,Ugonna Onyenso andZvonimir Ivišić. He posted 27 points and 21 rebounds.[114][115] He was the first Big 12 Player to accumulate 25+ points and 20+ rebounds in a game against a ranked opponent sinceBlake Griffin on November 18, 2008 forOklahoma vs. No. 21Davidson and the first Kansas player with a 25+/20+ game sinceThomas Robinson on December 31, 2011 for the2011–12 Jayhawks vs.North Dakota. The performance earned him both Big 12 Player of the Week and Big 12 Newcomer of the week recognition as well as Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week selection from theUnited States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).[116][117] In Kansas'2023–24 Big 12 Conference men's basketball season January 8 conference opener againstTCU Dickinson posted 30 points and 11 rebounds, including game tying free throws with 57 seconds left and the game-winning basket with 3.4 seconds left. The game marked his 40th career double-double and stretched his double-digit rebound streak to a career-high 6 games.[118][119] On February 5, Dickinson earned a third Big 12 Player of the Week award, when he collected his 2000th point as he helped Kansas defeatOklahoma State and No. 4/4Houston with averages of 18 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists points for the week. He became the third active player with1000 career rebounds and 2000 career points again earning Player of the Week recognition from the USBWA.[120][121] Dickinson finished the season as the conference's leading rebounder (10.84 overall, 9.61 conference games) and its leading scorer in conference games (17.56 ), 2nd leading scorer overall (17.97). He earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, and All-Big 12 First Team recognition.[122] Dickinson became the 17th consensus All-American forBill Self as coach at Kansas, marking the school's third consecutive season with such a recognition (Ochai Agbaji in 2022 andJalen Wilson in 2023). He was a consensus 2nd team selection.[123] Kansas entered the2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament with a four seed. They were eliminated in the second round by number 5 seedGonzaga.[124] On April 26, Dickinson announced that he would return to Kansas for a final season.[125] Although Kansas was not the school that had offered him the highest NIL compensation package during his transfer recruitement, his 2023-24 earnings were estimated at $586,000 (includingWendy's andAdidas sponsorships as well as aUniversity of Kansas affiliate collective) according to aFansided report.[126]
The2024–25 Jayhawks were again the number one ranked team in the country in the preseason.[127] It marked the 5th time in school history that the team began the season ranked number 1.[128] Dickinson repeated as Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year.[129] He also repeated as an Associated Press preseason All-American, withESPN naming him the 4th-highest rated player in college basketball in the preseason.[130]
Dickinson had several great performances in his 5th year. He again opened the season as Big 12 Player of the week when his week included scoring the final three points of the game in a November 8 92–89 victory over 9th-rankedNorth Carolina as part of a 20-point/10-rebound effort.[131][132] Then he posted his 50th career double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds in a November 12Champions Classic victory overMichigan State as part of a week that earned him back-to-back Big 12 Player of the Week recognition on November 18.[133] On November 26, 2024, Dickinson was ejected from a game againstDuke after kicking Maliq Brown in the face.[134] On December 14, Dickinson posted 21 points, 14 rebounds, a career-high 8 assists and 0 turnovers in a 75–60 victory overNC State. No Division I player has posted those three stats with 0 turnovers since at least the1996–97 NCAA basketball season. Dickinson also had 2 steals and a blocked shot in the game. The effort earned him another Big 12 Player of the Week selection.[135][136][137] In a February 24 victory againstColorado, Dickinson posted 32 points on 13–18 shooting to establish a personal best as a Jayhawk.[138][139] In the March 8 regular season finale, Dickinson matched his career high with 33 points in an 83–76 victory against 24th-rankedArizona,[140] marking his fifth double-double in the final six regular season games. Dickinson earned first team All-Big 12 recognition at the end of the regular season as he stood 4th in the conference in scoring (17.4) and 2nd in rebounding (9.9).[141][142] After the2025 Big 12 men's basketball tournament, Dickinson earned2025 third team All-American recognition from theAssociated Press andUnited States Basketball Writers Association.[143][144] In addition to recognition from official selectors, Dickinson was a third-team All-American choice byBleacher Report.[145]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Michigan | 28 | 23 | 26.0 | .598 | .000 | .739 | 7.4 | .9 | .3 | 1.4 | 14.1 |
| 2021–22 | Michigan | 32 | 32 | 32.3 | .563 | .328 | .802 | 8.6 | 2.3 | .5 | 1.5 | 18.6 |
| 2022–23 | Michigan | 34 | 34 | 32.7 | .560 | .421 | .727 | 9.0 | 1.5 | .5 | 1.8 | 18.5 |
| 2023–24 | Kansas | 33 | 33 | 32.2 | .548 | .354 | .624 | 10.9 | 2.3 | .9 | 1.4 | 17.9 |
| 2024–25 | Kansas | 34 | 34 | 30.1 | .526 | .276 | .748 | 10.0 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 17.4 |
| Career | 161 | 156 | 30.8 | .555 | .339 | .729 | 9.2 | 1.8 | .7 | 1.5 | 17.4 | |
Hunter Dickinson has brothers named Ben, Grant and Jason.[146] Dickinson's mother, Kathy, playedvolleyball forNiagara. Dickinson's father, Tim, played collegiate baseball at Buffalo State. He is a fan of theBuffalo Bills.[147] His older brother Ben played college basketball forNCAA Division IBinghamton,Loyola Marymount andUNC Greensboro.[148] Ben (6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)) who attendedGonzaga High School and was a 2011–12America East All-Rookie Team selection, also played as a graduate student forNCAA Division IICal State San Marcos.[146] After playing forT. C. Williams High School and the 2015–16 season for Division IIConcord University,[149] Grant (6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)) was affiliated with DIIMount Olive andAtlantic University Sport memberCBU Capers.[150][151]