A key piece of Kansas men’s basketball’s future could be on the verge of departing.
Flory Bidunga has decided to enter the transfer portal, multiple sources confirmed to the Journal-World.
“Yes, he is entering the portal,” Bidunga’s guardian, Dillon Craft, said via text message. “With Kansas remaining a strong option.”
ESPN first broke the news on Saturday. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bidunga played his high school basketball in Kokomo, Indiana, before arriving in Lawrence. In his freshman season, the highly touted five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American averaged 5.9 points on 69.8% shooting and 5.4 rebounds per game. He appeared in all 34 contests, starting six, and quickly became a fan favorite.
Bidunga saw extended playing time after senior KJ Adams suffered a separated shoulder in January. During a stretch of five consecutive starts, he delivered some of his best performances, including double-doubles against TCU and UCF, as well as a 19-point effort in KU’s double-overtime loss to Houston.
His departure would mark the second Jayhawk to enter the portal, following fellow big man Zach Clemence’s decision on Friday. Losing Bidunga could significantly impact KU’s recruiting approach in the portal, especially given the excitement surrounding his potential sophomore season.
Incoming five-star guard Darryn Peterson recently expressed his enthusiasm about playing alongside Bidunga next year, calling him the teammate he was most eager to share the court with.
KU head coach Bill Self spoke highly of Bidunga during the NCAA Tournament, stating, “I think his ceiling is as high as anyone in our program, and I think his ceiling is one of the highest we have had at Kansas for the last several years.”
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