Flory Bidunga’s first trip back to Lawrence will come with all the usual exhibition-game wrinkles and one extra layer the Kansas-Louisville matchup can’t ignore: this one means something to him.
Bidunga, now 21 and at Louisville after a spring transfer, said Monday in Louisville that his two seasons at Kansas still sit close to the surface. He arrived in the summer of 2024 as a 19-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and needed time to adjust to college basketball and life in America, but he quickly found a support system.
“They really took care of me as a kid, coming from high school to college, to a new experience,” the 6-foot-9, 235-pound Bidunga said.
He singled out former teammates Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris, K.J. Adams and Zeke Mayo with a “shoutout” at the news conference, calling them “great role models.” He also credited the KU staff, including Jeremy Case and Bill Self, for helping shape him both on and off the court.
“They are like great role models to me,” Bidunga said. “Again, the coaching staff … coach (Jeremy) Case, Bill Self, they really took care of me.
I fell in love with it there my freshman year. I would say they are a big part of what I’ve become.”
That connection is part of what will make Wednesday’s exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse unusual. Tipoff is 6 p.m., and the game will be shown live on ESPNU.
Bidunga was a major part of Kansas last season, averaging 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds while winning Big 12 defensive player of the year honors. Self went even further in his praise Monday, saying, “he was the best defensive player in the country,” and Bidunga’s shot-blocking and dunking made him a favorite with KU fans.
He said he is looking forward to being back in the building.
“You know, I played there for two years. I’m excited to get there and compete with my new team,” he told reporters.
Louisville coach Pat Kelsey said he understands the emotional pull of the return. Bidunga wasn’t just another transfer; he was part of the program, part of the room, and still has people there.
“I mean he’s a human being and that’s a special place to him. He’s got special relationships, and he did great things there, and he was beloved there, and he’s got teammates that are there,” Kelsey said Monday. “I think naturally there’s going to be a sentimental part of it of going back, and then he’s a competitor too.
“Kansas … that place, coach Self, his teammates, it means a lot to him. So he’s a competitor, and he’ll be probably a little extra, whatever it is.
Faster heartbeat, butterflies before the game. He obviously wants to go do well, but at the end of the day, it’s a chance for us to get better against a really, really good team in an exhibition game.”
Bidunga’s ties to Kansas run deeper than a player list. In the transfer-portal and NIL era, he was teammates last season with current KU players Tre White, Melvin Council Jr., Kohl Rosario, Will Thengvall and Paul Mbiya. He also worked with a long list of Jayhawk coaches, including Self, Case, Kurtis Townsend, Jacque Vaughn, Joe Dooley, Tony Bland, Doc Sadler and Brennan Bechard.
When asked about the staff Monday, Bidunga’s appreciation was unmistakable.
“Oh man … great coach. Shoutout coach Self,” Bidunga said.
“He taught me a lot as a player, as a person, as a human being. There’s much I can talk about.
What can I pick? I mean, there’s a lot.
I remember when I left. He told me he would always be there for me, and I appreciate that.
He’s a great person. I will always respect him.”
Bidunga has already explained why he chose to leave Kansas. Recently, he said, “I feel like we can do something great here with Pat Kelsey. … I guess I just wanted to see something else.”
Kansas, meanwhile, may have another frontcourt option by Wednesday. Self said Monday that former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn has joined the roster and could potentially be ready to face Louisville, even with limited practice time. The 6-9, 240-pound senior has also received a preliminary injunction allowing him to keep playing in college for a sixth year.
Bidunga was asked about facing Kaufman-Renn and paused before answering.
“I mean, shoutout Kansas. Well, we’re going to go there with a mindset (that regardless of) who they got or not, I don’t think about the other team. We’re going to be there, compete and then, you know … yep.”
Another KU player who may have an idea of how to approach Bidunga is Melvin Council Jr., who is currently eligible after receiving a preliminary injunction in his own NCAA eligibility case. At KU media day, he was asked about Bidunga’s return and gave a reference to a famous basketball moment.
“All I’ve got to say is you guys saw the Kobe Bryant/Pau Gasol (video) for USA (game in Olympics)? I’m going to leave it at that,” Council said.
The comment pointed back to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Bryant ran through a screen set by Gasol on the opening possession of a game against Spain. Council did not elaborate further, leaving the rest to interpretation.
What Wednesday feels like for Bidunga is still an open question. He could be greeted warmly, or he could hear boos.
He could get applause, or he could get treated like just another visiting player. The answer may depend on how much of the old Kansas connection fans choose to remember once the ball goes up.
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