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Flory Bidunga Named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
Kansas trio of Bidunga, Council, and Peterson earn conference honors
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The Kansas men's basketball team had three players earn All-Big 12 honors, led by Flory Bidunga being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Melvin Council Jr. was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while Darryn Peterson was selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Freshman Team.
Why it matters
The Big 12 awards recognize the top individual performances in the conference, and Kansas' three honorees highlight the team's strong season. Bidunga's defensive dominance, Council's impact as a newcomer, and Peterson's standout freshman campaign all contributed to Kansas' success and postseason aspirations.
The details
Bidunga leads the Big 12 and ranks second nationally in both blocked shots (84) and blocks per game (2.71). He also leads the conference and ranks 10th nationally with a 64.4 field goal percentage. Council is averaging 13.4 points per game and leads Kansas with 160 assists and 34 steals. Peterson leads the Jayhawks with a 19.9 scoring average and has made 53 three-pointers.
- Bidunga, Council, and Peterson earned their awards on March 9, 2026.
- Kansas will play its first game in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
The players
Flory Bidunga
A sophomore center from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bidunga is the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous selection for the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.
Melvin Council Jr.
A senior guard from Rochester, New York, Council is the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honoree.
Darryn Peterson
A freshman guard from Canton, Ohio, Peterson is an All-Big 12 Second Team selection and a unanimous choice for the All-Freshman Team.
What’s next
No. 3 seed Kansas (22-9, 12-6) earned a double bye in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament and will play its first game in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 12, at 8:30 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
The takeaway
Kansas' trio of Bidunga, Council, and Peterson have been recognized for their standout individual performances, highlighting the team's depth and balance as they look to make a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament and beyond.
