Bill Self provides injury update on Kansas basketball phenom Flory Bidunga

Kansas basketball moved to 5-0 on the year with its win over UNC-Wilmington on Tuesday night, defeating the Seahawks 84-66. The Jayhawks pulled away in the second half after starting the game slowly across the first 20 minutes.

While positive signs arose from the victory, some worry had spread through Lawrence with the news of Flory Bidunga’s ankle injury. KU’s freshman big man went down with an ankle injury in the first half and did not return to the contest, remaining in the locker room well after that point. Thankfully, head coach Bill Self spread positive news during a press conference on Thursday:

Bill Self delivers encouraging injury update on Flory Bidunga

"I don't think he should have played [in the second half]. But in a big game where maybe you didn't have another game coming up immediately after, he could have been back out there probably. So he'll be off of it a day or two, but hopefully be practicing by Friday."

- Bill Self

When he rolled his ankle, Jayhawk fans across the state held their breath. Self’s comments clarified that the injury was not serious. Bidunga did not return to the game against the mid-major opponent, but it sounds like he would have if the team direly needed him.

Prior to exiting the game, Bidunga had scored six points and pulled down two rebounds in eight minutes played. On the season, he has averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks on 82.6% field goal shooting. 

Bidunga has exceeded expectations in his first collegiate season. He is an uber-athletic center with incredible physical tools that make him a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end. Coach Self has even experimented with lineups that consist of both Bidunga and fellow big man Hunter Dickinson.

Kansas could certainly use his services this Tuesday against Duke in the Vegas Showdown. The Jayhawks will take on Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils in a showdown between two blue-blood programs. Bidunga could help down low to slow down freshman center Khaman Maluach.