<p><strong>“NBA Draft Shock: Bidunga's Jaw-Dropping Move Could Change His Career Forever—Is This the Biggest Risk of 2023?”</strong></p>

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga is making waves in the college basketball world as he announces his intentions to declare for the NBA Draft while also entering the transfer portal. This announcement, reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel on Thursday night, leaves Bidunga with multiple options—he could pursue a professional career in the NBA, transfer to another collegiate program, or stay with the University of Kansas (KU) for his junior season.

This is the first significant move for the Jayhawks in player personnel this offseason, occurring just a day after head coach Bill Self confirmed his decision to return for a 24th season. Interestingly, this marks the second consecutive spring that Bidunga has tested the waters of the transfer portal. He entered it in late March 2025 but returned to KU a week later, where he showcased notable improvement during the 2025-26 season.

During his sophomore year, the Congolese forward averaged impressive statistics: 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. His skills earned him the title of Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Bidunga emerged as an elite rim protector and displayed greater discipline than in his freshman campaign, significantly contributing to KU’s defensive strength. His ability to switch onto guards and defend on the perimeter further solidified his invaluable role on the team. While his offensive consistency fluctuated, he delivered several standout performances that highlighted his potential.

As for his chances of making it in the NBA, current predictions are mixed. A recent mock draft from CBS Sports places him in the late first round, while other projections from outlets like Bleacher Report and ESPN suggest he could land midway through the second round. This uncertainty adds an intriguing layer to his decision-making process.

Prior to the postseason, Coach Self shared his thoughts on Bidunga's options amid swirling rumors about a potential transfer. “He could go pro,” Self stated on March 10. “But I’m not concerned about anything else, if that’s what you’re asking. I also think this, folks: Everybody has an agent, and everybody’s agent, if not shopping, is putting feelers out there about whatever. And that could be done by an agent just to try to get a better deal at the school that you’re at. So there’s way too much read into a lot of this stuff. Not saying it can’t be true, but the reality of it is, a lot of stuff takes place without players actually knowing about it.”

If Bidunga ultimately decides to enter the transfer portal, he will be the first potential departure among the Jayhawks' eight non-Darryn Peterson players who have remaining eligibility. Peterson, a freshman, is projected to be a top-three pick in the upcoming draft. In the post, KU has Davion Adkins, a freshman forward from the class of 2026, already signed, along with teammates Paul Mbiya and Bryson Tiller currently on the roster.

The decisions made in this offseason by players like Bidunga could significantly impact the landscape of college basketball, especially in the Big 12 Conference. As the NBA draft approaches, all eyes will be on how Bidunga navigates this critical juncture in his career and what it means for the future of KU basketball.