Duke, Michigan battle for transfer of conference defensive player of the year

6-foot-9 center Flory Bidunga is being pursued by four top programs after two seasons at Kansas.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange hues, representing the multifaceted defensive skills and movements of a basketball player.The angular, fragmented depiction of a dominant defensive player symbolizes the intense competition for elite transfer talent in college basketball.Louisville Today

The Duke Blue Devils and Michigan Wolverines are among four teams vying for the services of Flory Bidunga, a 6-foot-9 center who was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year this past season at Kansas. Bidunga, a top-25 recruit in the Class of 2024, averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game for the Jayhawks in 2022-23.

Why it matters

Landing Bidunga would be a major coup for either Duke or Michigan, as the skilled big man could provide an immediate boost to their frontcourt and help them contend for a national championship next season.

The details

Bidunga is also being recruited by St. John's and Louisville, but Duke and Michigan are considered the frontrunners for the transfer. The Blue Devils could use Bidunga to replace the departing Patrick Ngongba, while the Wolverines would slot him in for the graduating Aday Mara.

  • Bidunga played two seasons at Kansas, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022-23.
  • He entered the transfer portal following the 2022-23 season.

The players

Flory Bidunga

A 6-foot-9 center who was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23 after averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game for Kansas.

Patrick Ngongba

A departing center for Duke who Bidunga could potentially replace.

Aday Mara

A graduating center for Michigan who Bidunga could potentially replace.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bidunga is maybe the best player available in the transfer portal right now.”

— Jeff Goodman, Insider

What’s next

Bidunga will need to decide which of the four schools recruiting him - Duke, Michigan, St. John's, or Louisville - he will transfer to for the 2023-24 season.

The takeaway

The battle for Flory Bidunga's services highlights the importance of the transfer portal in college basketball, as elite programs look to reload their rosters with experienced talent. Whichever team lands the defensive stalwart will gain a significant boost to their national championship aspirations.