Flory Bidunga

Last updated
Flory Bidunga
No. 40–Kansas Jayhawks
Position Center
League Big 12 Conference
Personal information
Born (2005-05-20) May 20, 2005 (age 20)
Democratic Republic of Congo
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school Kokomo (Kokomo, Indiana)
College
Career highlights

Flory Bidunga is a Congolese college basketball player for the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big 12 Conference.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Bidunga grew up in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [1] He enrolled, at age 15, at Kokomo High School in Kokomo, Indiana via the school's International Baccalaureate program at the recommendation of his parents prior to the beginning of his sophomore year [2] [3] Bidunga averaged 17.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 5.3 blocks per game during his first season at Kokomo. [4] As a junior, he was named the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 20.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks per game. [5] During the season Bidunga tied an Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) record by making 32 consecutive field goals. [6] He also was a starter on Kokomo's varsity soccer team, joining the team during his senior year. [7] [8] Bidunga was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Boys Game during his senior basketball season. [9] He was named also named the Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year and Indiana Mr. Basketball after averaging 19.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.4 blocked shots, and 3.2 assists per contest. [10]

Recruiting

Bidunga was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2024 class, according to major recruiting services. [11] He was initially unranked, but rose to the top ten over a two month period after his sophomore year following his performance playing in the Amateur Athletic Union circuit. [12] [13] Bidunga committed to play college basketball at Kansas after considering offers from Auburn, Duke, and Michigan. [14] He signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Jayhawks on November 9, 2023, during the early signing period. [15]

College career

Bidunga played in all 34 of Kansas' games during his freshman season, starting in 6. He averaged 16.3 minutes played, 5.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. [16]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2024–25 Kansas 34616.3.698.000.5335.4.3.61.65.9
Career34616.3.698.000.5335.4.3.61.65.9

References

  1. ↑ Graf, Travis (September 23, 2022). "Congo native Flory Bidunga becoming a phenom in U.S." Rivals.com . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Bidunga's rapid rise has colleges pining for his power game". The Herald Bulletin . January 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  3. ↑ Davis, Seth (July 26, 2022). "Flory Bidunga is a big man who's rising fast in the Class of 2024. Where will he land?". The Athletic . Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Self's Kansas Jayhawks sign basketball center Flory Bidunga". The Kansas City Star . November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Flory Bidunga, Kokomo's dominant big, named Indiana basketball Gatorade Player of the Year". Indianapolis Star . March 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ Neddenriep, Kyle (January 9, 2023). "He can't miss! Flory Bidunga ties IHSAA basketball record with 32 straight field goals made". Indianapolis Star . Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  7. ↑ "BOYS SOCCER: Bidunga enjoying chance to play soccer again". Kokomo Tribune . September 2, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Future Kansas Jayhawks basketball player Flory Bidunga played soccer as youngster". The Kansas City Star . August 13, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Incoming Kansas big man Flory Bidunga fares well in McDonald's scrimmage Sunday". The Kansas City Star . April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Flory Bidunga of Kokomo is voted 2024 Indiana Mr. Basketball". Indianapolis Star . April 23, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Indiana basketball recruiting: Kokomo's Flory Bidunga down to 4 schools". Indianapolis Star . July 17, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Rudner, Jacob (September 23, 2023). "Florida a top option for five-star 2024 hoops center Flory Bidunga". 247Sports.com . Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  13. ↑ Pharis, Tristan (July 6, 2022). "Kentucky interested in rising international recruit Flory Bidunga". ASeaOfBlue.com. SB Nation . Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  14. ↑ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (August 12, 2023). "Flory Bidunga, top-ranked center in 2024, commits to Kansas". ESPN.com . Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Self's Kansas Jayhawks sign basketball center Flory Bidunga". The Wichita Eagle . November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Flory Bidunga College Stats". sports-reference.com . Retrieved March 23, 2025.
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