By ADAM ZAGORIA
Flory Bidunga, the 6-foot-10 five-star Class of 2024 big man from Kokomo (IN) High and Indiana Elite, committed to Kansas on Saturday.
Bidunga, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, chose the Jayhawks over Auburn, Duke and Michigan. Kansas has a history of producing NBA big men, including 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
“I was excited about Kansas when they offered,” Bidunga told ESPN. “We spoke on the phone, and they were serious about me, then I got serious with them. When we went there and met everyone it was great. Coach [Bill] Self and staff were constantly at my games. I see him as a coach who will push me and teach me on the court. Off the court, he is a caring and nice guy. Very funny and a smartass in a good way off the court.”
As for his skillset, Kokomo coach John Peckinpaugh told ZAGSBLOG, “He’s really good with his back to the basket in the post. The thing that sets him apart is his motor is unbelievable and he’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s got a good right-handed and left-handed hook and really, really good footwork for someone as new to the game as he is.
“If he can continue to develop a face-up game and fine-tune his passing game out of the post, he’s got a chance to be really, really special.”
“His goal is to be like (fellow Congo native) Jonathan Kuminga and play in the NBA, but he’s just so new to this whole process so he’s trying to take this slow and see what college basketball in the United States is like, kind of what conference, program, coaching staff is going to help him get to that next level.
“He’s not all over social media himself, he just wants to get into the gym and work out, continue to get better and try to enjoy the process instead of letting it become something that would overwhelm him.”
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