LAWRENCE, KS — Just two years after concluding one of the most dominant high school careers in Indiana history, Flory Bidunga has officially ascended to the top of the college basketball defensive ranks. The University of Kansas sophomore center was named the 2025-26 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year on Monday, March 9, 2026, following a regular season defined by elite rim protection and physical dominance.
The “Human Wrecking Ball” of the Big 12
Bidunga, a 6’10” native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, anchored a Jayhawks defense that held opponents to a conference-best 38.7% field goal percentage. His individual impact was equally staggering:
- Conference Leader: He led the Big 12 with 2.71 blocks per game.
- National Presence: His 84 total blocks ranked second in the entire NCAA.
- Efficiency Machine: Offensively, he averaged 13.8 points on 64.4% shooting, while leading the team with 9.0 rebounds per game.
- Unanimous Honor: He was the only player unanimously selected to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team by the league’s coaches.
Bidunga is the ninth Jayhawk to win the award, joining legends like Joel Embiid (2014) and Jeff Withey (2012, 2013).
The Kokomo Legacy
Before his breakout in Lawrence, Bidunga was a local icon for the Kokomo Wildkats. His transition to the American game at age 15 was legendary, resulting in 1,609 points and 402 blocks over three seasons. He remains the only player since 1959 to win Indiana Mr. Basketball for Kokomo and was a two-time Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year.
Next Steps: The NBA Horizon
Bidunga’s rapid development—from a raw freshman averaging 16 minutes to a conference DPOY—has caught the eye of professional scouts. Currently projected as a potential 2025 or 2026 NBA Draft pick, analysts highlight his 7’4” wingspan and elite mobility as traits that translate perfectly to the modern NBA “anchor” role.
He was recently named to the 15-player late-season watch list for the Naismith Men’s College Defensive Player of the Year.