Flory Bidunga’s move from Kansas to Louisville was already one of the eye-popping swings of the transfer era, and now the reason he gave for leaving has added another layer to it.
Bidunga spent two seasons with the Jayhawks, including a freshman year that served as a developmental stage before he took a major step forward and became a key piece on a Kansas team that won 24 games. After that, he headed to Louisville, where The Sporting News, via Yahoo Sports, reported the Cardinals put together a NIL package worth approximately $5 million.
That kind of money is part of the modern game. Players can now earn through their names, images and likenesses, and there’s no mystery about why plenty of them chase the biggest deal available. Even so, stars leaving blueblood programs still turns heads.
Bidunga offered more clarity this week in an interview with Steve Reed of the Associated Press, and his answer went beyond the financial side. Reed asked why he would leave Kansas for coach Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals in the ACC, and Bidunga said:
“Kansas is a great school, great coaches. Shoutout to Coach Self, one of the best ones ever.
It wasn't bad blood or anything; I still love him, I still care about him. I want them to be great and to be successful.
I don't know; I feel like I just didn't want to waste a year.”
That final line is the one that lands hardest. Saying he “didn't want to waste a year” leaves room for different readings, but it also suggests Bidunga didn’t see enough reason to stay in Lawrence, whether that meant money, opportunity, development or his outlook on Kansas’ prospects.
There’s no question what Kansas means on the college basketball map. Bill Self is a Hall of Fame coach, a two-time national champion, and one of the sport’s most proven winners. He has also had his share of frustration in the NIL era, including missing on several players he pursued through the transfer portal.
Still, Bidunga would have had an important role if he had remained at Kansas, and the roster around him would have given him plenty of help. Instead, he’s in Louisville now, and Kansas gets a chance to answer that “waste a year” line when the Cardinals visit Allen Fieldhouse for an exhibition game on October 21.
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