Hunter Dickinson, the Michigan men’s basketball team’s leading scorer and rebounder each of the past three years, has entered the transfer portal.

A program spokesperson confirmed the news on Friday afternoon. The 7-foot-1 center has two years of eligibility remaining.

Dickinson moved into the starting lineup six games into his freshman season, in 2020-21, and has started ever since. He averaged 18.5 points and nine rebounds per game as a junior this past season, while shooting 56 percent from the field, virtually identical to the statistics he posted as a sophomore. He was a first team All-Big Ten selection (by the media).

Dickinson is a Big Man on Campus in every sense of the word, often expressing his love for Michigan and appreciation playing for head coach Juwan Howard. Dickinson was outspoken off the court, and relished playing in front of opposing crowds. A Michigan assistant coach compared him to a professional wrestling villain.

Dickinson considered leaving for the NBA after each of his first two seasons but decided to stay. Michigan won the Big Ten regular-season title and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight during his freshman season and, after a rocky regular season, made it to the Sweet 16 in 2022.

This past season, Michigan failed to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, posting an 18-16 record. Dickinson played well in Michigan’s two NIT games, tallying 21 points and 11 rebounds in a second-round loss to Vanderbilt on March 18. It appears that may have been Dickinson’s last game as a Wolverine.

The NCAA’s COVID waiver means Dickinson can play for five seasons if he chooses, as his freshman year did not count against his eligibility.

Michigan is set to return center Tarris Reed Jr., who had an encouraging freshman season filling in for — and playing alongside — Dickinson. The 6-foot-10 Reed appeared in all 34 games off the bench, averaging 12.6 minutes, 3.4 points, and 3.9 rebounds. His defense and rebounding stood out; his offensive game is a work in a progress. Michigan also signed a center in its 2023 recruiting class, Papa Kante, who’s ranked No. 107 in the class per the 247Sports composite.

Starting guard Jett Howard, a freshman, declared for the NBA draft last week. Another starting guard, sophomore Kobe Bufkin, could do the same.