Why did Flory Bidunga enter the transfer portal? The KU Jayhawks big man answers
Flory Bidunga contemplated the decision for a while.
The freshman big man spent the days after KU’s season-ending loss to Arkansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament thinking about whether or not to enter the transfer portal.
Bidunga averaged 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season for a Kansas team that finished 21-13.
He admitted his first season in Lawrence was difficult.
“Last year was really up-and-down as a team and I felt like I wasn’t valued as a player,” Bidunga told The Star. “I feel like I could have done more than I did last year. Maybe someone else could provide what I needed.”
That’s ultimately one of the biggest reasons Bidunga said he entered the transfer portal on March 29.
The news came as a shock to many in the KU fan base. Bidunga was expected to be one of the Jayhawks’ cornerstones alongside incoming five-star freshman Darryn Peterson in the 2025-26 season.
Peterson even said Bidunga was the player he looked forward to playing alongside the most.
Bidunga’s guardian, Dillon Craft, told The Star that Kansas was still an option when Bidunga entered the portal. Bidunga reiterated that sentiment and said Kansas was always the top option.
Bidunga also admitted he seriously considered leaving.
“I didn’t want last year to repeat itself,” he said. “That was my main point. I was like, ‘Coach, I don’t want last year to repeat, so maybe Kansas is not the right place.’”
Bidunga and his camp met with coach Bill Self and his staff the day after he entered the transfer portal. The meeting put Bidunga at ease.
He recalled the coaching staff telling him they’d make changes and work closely with Bidunga as he chased his goals, like playing in the NBA.
Ultimately, it came down to Kansas or Auburn for the big man. He picked Kansas again, just as he did coming out of Kokomo (Indiana) High School.
“I will never say something bad about them (Auburn),” Bidunga said. “At the end of the day, I need to do what’s best for me.”
As for why he returned to Lawrence?
“I really want to improve my game,” he said. “That’s one of the things we talked to them (the coaches) about, how I don’t want last year to repeat and I want to develop as player. …They said they would be with me and make sure I (accomplish) what I want.”
Bidunga told The Star he’s working on becoming a more vocal leader, as Self expects that from him next season. On the court, he’s trying to improve his footwork and expand his range as he refines his jump shot.
Last season, Bidunga was KU’s best rim protector. Still, he’s unsatisfied and feels he can become an even better defender. Offensively, he hopes to be more efficient. He shot 69.8% from the field, primarily just by dunking.
He, of course, has NBA aspirations, but said there isn’t a specific timeline.
“I would say it would depend on me,” Bidunga said. “If I put in the work and obviously that would go well ... everything will go as fast as possible.
“... We’ll see after the season. Right now, I’m just trying to focus on the new teammates coming up and focus on getting better and better. Trying to make a (deep tournament) run and make sure last year doesn’t repeat.”
Bidunga is currently the only contributor on the team from last season’s roster. The Jayhawks will have an entirely different starting five, which is rare for Kansas under Self.
Kansas still has five roster spots to fill after KU recently added two players from the transfer portal: Tre White and Jayden Dawson.
“I’m pretty confident that the players added will help KU win,” he said.”They’re trying to build a pretty good team. I’m excited. I haven’t met them yet.”
Now, all eyes are on Bidunga.
The big man who received chants from KU students to play more last season has much more pressure to produce and play well this season. Perhaps fans will even be disappointed because he entered the transfer portal.
He says he’s not worried about that.
“I would say no (I’m not worried),” Bidunga said. “At the end of the day, you can never predict what fans are going to think. … I needed to do what’s best for me. I didn’t really see the hate much (on social media).
“Obviously, there is still (some of that), but I feel like what people were telling me was, ‘We understand it and you need to do what you need to do.’”
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
