Kansas forward Flory Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, is set to declare for the NBA Draft while preserving his NCAA eligibility by entering the transfer portal, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The 6-foot-10 sophomore had an outstanding season, averaging 13.3 points and nine rebounds per game, ranking fifth nationally with 2.6 blocks per contest. His defensive prowess earned him spots on both the All-Big 12 team and the conference All-Defensive team.
Kansas Star Flory Bidunga Declares for NBA Draft While Entering NCAA Transfer PortalBidunga’s most impressive performance came in November against Princeton, when he scored 25 points on 10-of-11 shooting, added 10 rebounds, and recorded three blocks. He also posted 23 points in games against Green Bay, Baylor, and top-ranked Arizona. Kansas head coach Bill Self praised Bidunga as “the most versatile and best defender in our league,” noting his improved discipline and ability to leverage his length effectively on defense.
This marks the second time Bidunga has explored transferring, having entered the portal last year before ultimately remaining at Kansas following a new NIL deal. Reports indicate he drew interest from Indiana, his home state, and Auburn.
Draft projections suggest Bidunga may be selected in the second round, with ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projecting him there and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor excluding him from first-round picks. Kansas is also expected to lose freshman guard Darryn Peterson, once the No. 1 prospect, who is now projected as a top-five pick. By entering both the NBA Draft and the transfer portal, Bidunga keeps his options open while positioning himself for professional and collegiate opportunities, making the offseason a pivotal moment for the Kansas program.
