Flory Bidunga: A Human Wrecking Ball
Kansas big man Flory Bidunga has been one of college basketball's breakout stars, and breakout prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft. How does his game translate to the next level?
Heading into the 2025-26 college basketball season, very few players seemed more primed for a breakout than Flory Bidunga. The former five-star sat behind established veterans Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams in his freshman season, appearing in just 16 minutes a game. However, Bidunga maximized his play in limited time, providing the Jayhawks with much-needed intensity through his powerful play finishing and reliable back-line defense. With little draft buzz, Bidunga would test the waters of the transfer portal, instantly becoming one of the highest upside names available. Bill Self worked overtime to bring his big man back to Lawrence, with the vision of pairing him with one of the best guard prospects ever, Darryn Peterson.
Although Peterson has seen little action this year, Bidunga has thrived, becoming the go-to guy for the Jayhawks. The sophomore is averaging 14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds a game, while collecting nearly three stocks a game as well. Bidunga has leaned into his best traits to dominate, utilizing his tantalizing athletic profile. At 6’9”, with a 7’2” wingspan and hefty 235-pound frame, Bidunga has imposed his will against all. Rather than make surgical plays and rely on finesse, Bidunga weaponizes his physicality and energy to make winning plays.
Given his physical advantage, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Bidunga is flourishing this season. However, his play style raises questions regarding his NBA translatability. Flory plays like a wrecking ball: he relies on sheer force, chaos, and disruption rather than precision. At the NBA level, where mistakes are magnified, the question becomes whether the wrecking ball can be controlled while maintaining its destructive power.
Defensive Profile
The most obvious NBA role for Flory Bidunga is as a defensive anchor in the paint. Bidunga has a strong presence there, using his physicality and quick reactions to make impactful plays. Right now, he ranks in the 100th percentile in DRAPM (Defensive Regularized Adjusted Plus-Minus) at 3.4, with 0.11 Defensive Win Shares per 40 minutes, according to CBBAnalytics. Kansas’s defense improves significantly when Bidunga is on the floor, as his presence lowers shot quality, blocks driving lanes, and enables guards to apply more perimeter pressure.
Bidunga is willing to meet attackers at the rim, using his anticipation and reach. He comfortably moves from block to block, skillfully reading both the ball and the weakside. As a weakside help defender, he’s shown strong instincts. Bidunga’s explosiveness is both horizontal and vertical, allowing him to both help and recover back to his man in an instant. It’s no surprise he’s been one of college basketball’s top shot blockers, posting a block rate of nine percent. Because of Flory’s chaotic playing style, many may think he gambles, which results in careless fouls. This became a key issue in his freshman season, with 5.5 personal fouls per 40 minutes. Although it’s still early, this number has dropped to 3.1 in significantly more minutes played this season (CBBAnalytics). Bidunga’s shot-blocking choices have become more controlled, allowing him to stay on the floor without losing his aggressive edge.
Not only is Bidunga comfortable blocking shots at the rim, but he also stabilizes the pick-and-roll. This has been a key area of development for Bidunga this past season, considering his previous dependence on momentum that led to rash decisions. His movements in drop coverage have become way more calculated. He naturally stays connected to rollers, using his burling strength to push them off their path and onto awkward angles. Bidunga’s long strides make him effective in hedge situations, although faster guards and wings give him trouble from time to time, limiting his switchability. However, he’s shown positive reaction time, as in this play, where he switches off the screen then quickly recovers and blocks the shot.
His natural length also narrows driving lanes, forcing attackers into uncomfortable positions that make pull-ups, floaters, and tight passes difficult. His ability to not contain the rollman, but deter the drive projects well to the NBA level, where being functional in space is critical.
Offensive Profile
Like his defensive identity, Flory Bidunga is at his best when playing around or above the rim. He has an apparent gravity that demands defensive attention. His decisive, quick leaping ability forces defenses to tag him early in actions, opening up the floor for shooters. He acts as a play finisher, with nearly 63% of his shots at the rim assisted by dump-offs, post-ups, and lobs. Any ball lobbed up in Bidunga’s general vicinity will be caught thanks to his strong hands and tenacity. So far this season, Bidunga has converted 28 out of 29 dunk attempts (96.6%), according to Barttorvik. Flory’s efficiency isn’t just a result of easy lob finishes either.
He’s taken a total of 140 shots this season, with 96 taken at the rim, many in highly contested areas. Bidunga understands his role and uses his physical tools to take the most efficient shot possible.
Bidunga thrives in the pick-and-roll as well, serving as a highly functional screener and, of course, finisher. He uses his Hulk-esque frame to set sturdy screens that easily disrupt defenders. His hip mobility is surprisingly agile, as he sharply flips towards the rim, creating an advantage for himself or the ball-handler. His roll movements have been another drastic area of improvement for Bidunga, as they feel more purposeful.
Bidunga’s enhanced anticipation has allowed him to be highly dependable working out the dunker spot. Rather than sit near the baseline, Flory is constantly relocating from each dunker spot, clearing the paint, only cutting when defenders lose focus. These movements penalize overhelp and shift defensive focus, leading to easy scores without sacrificing offensive rhythm.
His overall back-to-the-basket game has also improved considerably. Specifically, his touch has been more consistent, converting finishes that would’ve been rushed or off balance last season. His raw strength allows him to move defenders off their spot, giving Flory the proper space to finish. Most of his finishes come from drop steps, seals, and quick turns after establishing deep position.
However, post-ups won’t be Bidunga’s calling card at the next level. Because he thrives on cutting and high-low actions, post-ups actually slow the game down for him, neutralizing his greatest strength: his momentum. For Bidunga, post-ups are more of a counter, rather than a diet.
While not commanding, Flory is constantly applying pressure as an offensive rebounder. You’d like to see the 10.8% offensive rebounding rate (CBBAnalytics) increase, especially given his physical gifts. However, when he does crash the glass, Bidunga proficiently tracks the ball and uses his frame and coordination to snag the rock.
Outside the paint, Bidunga’s offensive profile is quite limited. He’s not a reliable self-creator, with a loose handle and little to no shooting range. This season, he’s only taken 10 shots past 12 feet, and he’s only knocked down two of them. The lacking perimeter gravity allows defenses to load up on guards and wings and cut off easy angles to the basket. Additionally, NBA teams are more competent when it comes to tagging and recovery situations, making a non-shooting big man such as Bidunga a net negative in certain situations. Extending his range and even his touch around the basket will be crucial if he wants to be playable at the next level.
For a big man that constantly attacks the rim, you’d think he’d be getting the line an adequate amount, yet he only has a free-throw attempt rate of 28.2%, putting him in the 32nd percentile (yuck!). Flory will have to learn to absorb contact rather than avoid it, as NBA defenders are much longer and stronger, to maintain his rim pressure. He’s currently shooting about 72% from the stripe, a number better than his perceived reputation, indicating there’s potential for Flory to extend his game past the paint.
Bidunga must also improve as a playmaker, specifically as a short-roll connector. So far, he’s flashed making simple reads in the middle of the floor to weakside shooters and cutting teammates. Flory may recognize his own limitations, barely putting the ball on the floor. Still, he’ll get carried away from time to time, losing the ball, easily getting stripped, and currently averaging 2.2 turnovers per 40 minutes. With the game speeding up and defenders being more keen, he’s going to have to learn to recognize passing windows at a faster rate through his rim gravity.
Closing Remarks
While Flory has a multitude of concerns, I’m a believer in his long-term development, as he’s only gotten better with age. Without a doubt, I’ll be giving Flory a first-round grade, as his freak athleticism, superb interior defense, and above-the-rim finishing create a clear foundation to work with. Those traits alone make him a valuable rotation big man who can come in, spark energy, and finish plays on both sides of the ball. His growth curve, instincts, and intensity give me confidence that Flory Bidunga can extend past a situational role and carve out a long career as a dependable big man.
Strengths:
Interior Defense
Athleticism
Finishing
Screen Setting
Weaknesses:
Range
Handle
Free Throw Generation
Prospect Chemistry
Adem Bona, Robert Williams, Precious Achiuwa, Onyeka Okongwu
really encouraged by flory's development this year. He's a legit two way player, and I've liked seeing him improve on his FT%, foul rate, and playmaking.
It's gonna be tough to determine if he's a starter, as small bigs don't seem to garner big minutes rn.
Great article btw