Sitting comfortably in McCarthy Hall, Flory Bidunga's phone buzzed with some exciting news. His teammate, Melvin Council Jr., showed him the announcement: Bidunga had been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. It wasn't until the flood of congratulatory messages began that the significance of this honor truly hit him.
Just days earlier, Bidunga had put on a defensive clinic with four blocks against Kansas State, surpassing Udoka Azubuike for the most blocks in a Kansas season since 2013. While Jeff Withey's two seasons with over 140 blocks in 2012 and 2013 remain untouched, Bidunga's impressive tally of 84 blocks this season speaks volumes. His defensive prowess, particularly his shot-blocking, earned him this prestigious conference accolade.
Bidunga wrapped up the season averaging 13.8 points, a team-leading 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 2.2 fouls per game over about 32 minutes of play. His standout performances against teams like Utah, Arizona, Kansas State, and Baylor highlighted his award-winning sophomore campaign.
Reflecting on the moment, Bidunga shared, "I was excited, of course. When I started getting texts, that's when it really sank in.
I was just sitting on the couch, and then I saw the post. It was an exciting moment."
This season, Bidunga's blocking stats stood out nationally, finishing second in both total blocked shots and blocks per game (2.71). His ability to combine high block numbers with consistent scoring and rebounding puts him in elite company, as he is the only NCAA Division I player to average over 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game this year.
Bidunga's development over the season was remarkable. While he had only two games with more than three blocks in non-conference play, he achieved this feat in eight of 18 conference games.
A key area of growth for Bidunga was his patience on defense, avoiding the temptation to jump at every shot fake. This discipline was something head coach Bill Self emphasized.
"Winning that award required discipline and playing to his length rather than gambling," Self noted. "He's improved tremendously in that aspect."
Bidunga's improved patience is reflected in his foul rate. Last year, he averaged 2.2 fouls in just 16 minutes per game. This year, despite nearly doubling his playing time, he maintained the same foul average.
What makes this achievement even more noteworthy is Bidunga's versatility on defense. He was often tasked with guarding not just centers but also smaller, quicker guards known for their play-making and foul-drawing abilities. This adaptability was a significant step forward from his freshman year.
"I take pride in guarding positions one through five," Bidunga said. "I love switching and keeping the other player in front of me. That's something I'm really proud of."
Bidunga's growth and impact on the court this season have set a high bar for the future, both for himself and for Kansas basketball.