When the Kansas Jayhawks took on the Louisville Cardinals in an exhibition prior to the season, no one inside the packed KFC Yum! Center expected that not even a year later, one of Kansas’ most prized assets, Flory Bidunga, would be leaving Lawrence, Kan, for the ACC side.
 However, in the current era of collegiate athletics, nothing is a surprise anymore.
Source: Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad and Kansas big man Flory Bidunga have both committed to Louisville. A major package deal for the Cardinals, as the Louisville administration was aggressive in laying out a vision for building championship roster. pic.twitter.com/tyrIC0dZO0
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 12, 2026
The sophomore forward just completed a stellar season, which resulted in him being awarded the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, along with a nomination to the All-Defensive Team and First Team All-Big 12. Bidunga also got to add a finalist for the Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year to his resume.
Bidunga finished the season averaging 13.3 points, nine rebounds, and the nation’s fifth-best 2.6 blocks per game, all while doing it on an extremely efficient 64% field goal rate.Â
Yet with Bidunga, while his offensive prowess showed at points during the season, with five 20+ point games, those who kept an eye on the Jayhawks knew it was his innate ability to defend all across the court that propelled him up NBA Draft Boards.Â
Bidunga’s crucial block in the dying embers of Kansas’ 82-78 win over Arizona was just one of many defensive highlights the former five-star compiled through the season, making it such a stab in the heart of KU fans when he announced he was entering the portal while entering himself into the NBA Draft process.Â
A wild ride for Bidunga in the portal
As of writing, Bidunga has been awarded what is tied for the nation’s highest portal ranking of a .9800 rating according to 247Sports.Â
Bidunga was originally tipped to land at Texas Tech just this past Monday.Â
That prediction was then removed only for the Cardinals to be tipped on Friday. The drama did not stop there as Bidunga was quickly favored to land with the Duke Blue Devils.Â
However, the madness around Bidunga can finally come to a close as it looks like he will be under Pat Kelsey and the resurging side.Â
For those who are wondering, Kansas is expected to host Louisville in an exhibition, as reported by Michael Swain of 247Sports, which is set to take place next Fall.
Bidunga will be back in Allen Fieldhouse this fall.
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) April 12, 2026
KU is expected to host Louisville in an exhibition this October. https://t.co/s09SV6p8WP https://t.co/mtESpIw5ZF
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