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 19)
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 Kansas (2024–present)
Career highlights and awards

Flory Bidunga is a Congolese college basketball player for the Kansas Jayhawks.

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 is 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]

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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.
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