Kansas Star Flory Bidunga Declares for NBA Draft, Enters Transfer Portal

The sophomore forward plans to maintain college eligibility while exploring professional options.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:50am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and actions of a basketball player, rendered in a vibrant color palette of crimson, royal blue, and gold.Bidunga's decision to explore the NBA Draft while also entering the transfer portal reflects the evolving landscape of college basketball, where top players have more options than ever to pursue their professional aspirations.Lawrence Today

Kansas Jayhawks star sophomore forward Flory Bidunga has announced plans to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft while also entering the NCAA transfer portal. Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, will work to get evaluated by NBA teams over the next few weeks to determine his draft prospects, and if he does not like the feedback, he could return to college at a different program.

Why it matters

Bidunga's decision is a significant development for the Kansas basketball program, as he was one of their top players this past season. His potential departure, either to the NBA or another college team, will leave a major hole in the Jayhawks' lineup and force the team to find a replacement for his production and defensive presence.

The details

The 6-foot-10, 220-pound Bidunga had a breakout sophomore campaign, averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and earned spots on the All-Big 12 team and the conference's All-Defensive team. In Kansas' NCAA Tournament loss to St. John's, Bidunga recorded 12 points and 5 rebounds.

  • Bidunga announced his plans to enter the NBA Draft and transfer portal on April 3, 2026.
  • The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June.

The players

Flory Bidunga

A 6-foot-10, 220-pound sophomore forward who was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a key contributor for the Kansas Jayhawks this past season.

Kansas Jayhawks

The Division I men's basketball team that competes in the Big 12 Conference and is one of the most successful programs in college basketball history.

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What’s next

Bidunga will go through the NBA Draft evaluation process over the next several weeks to determine his professional prospects. If he is not satisfied with his draft projection, he could choose to return to college basketball, but at a different program after entering the transfer portal.

The takeaway

Bidunga's decision to enter the NBA Draft while also exploring a transfer highlights the increasing fluidity of the modern college basketball landscape, where top players have more options than ever to pursue their professional aspirations. Kansas will now have to prepare for the potential loss of one of their best players, creating uncertainty around the team's outlook for next season.