Flory Bidunga
| No. 40 – Kansas Jayhawks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Big 12 Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 20, 2005 Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 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.
Early life and high school career
[edit]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
[edit]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]
References
[edit]- ^ Graf, Travis (September 23, 2022). "Congo native Flory Bidunga becoming a phenom in U.S." Rivals.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Bidunga's rapid rise has colleges pining for his power game". The Herald Bulletin. January 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Self's Kansas Jayhawks sign basketball center Flory Bidunga". The Kansas City Star. November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ "Flory Bidunga, Kokomo's dominant big, named Indiana basketball Gatorade Player of the Year". Indianapolis Star. March 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "BOYS SOCCER: Bidunga enjoying chance to play soccer again". Kokomo Tribune. September 2, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
- ^ "Future Kansas Jayhawks basketball player Flory Bidunga played soccer as youngster". The Kansas City Star. August 13, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ "Incoming Kansas big man Flory Bidunga fares well in McDonald's scrimmage Sunday". The Kansas City Star. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ "Flory Bidunga of Kokomo is voted 2024 Indiana Mr. Basketball". Indianapolis Star. April 23, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Indiana basketball recruiting: Kokomo's Flory Bidunga down to 4 schools". Indianapolis Star. July 17, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Rudner, Jacob (September 23, 2023). "Florida a top option for five-star 2024 hoops center Flory Bidunga". 247Sports.com. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ Pharis, Tristan (July 6, 2022). "Kentucky interested in rising international recruit Flory Bidunga". ASeaOfBlue.com. SB Nation. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (August 12, 2023). "Flory Bidunga, top-ranked center in 2024, commits to Kansas". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ "Self's Kansas Jayhawks sign basketball center Flory Bidunga". The Wichita Eagle. November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.