Flory Bidunga is turning heads in Lawrence - and not just because of his size or athleticism. Over the course of Kansas' six-game winning streak, the sophomore center has quietly become one of the most impactful players in the Big 12, anchoring the Jayhawks on both ends of the floor. It’s been a remarkable midseason leap, and it all seems to trace back to a players-only meeting that lit a fire under this KU squad.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Kansas opened conference play with a rocky 1-2 start, including losses to West Virginia and UCF.
In those games, Bidunga and fellow big Bryson Tiller struggled to make their presence felt. Bidunga managed just 16 points combined in the two losses, and his performance against TCU - while showing flashes late - left plenty to be desired.
But since then? He’s looked like a completely different player.
Defensively, Bidunga has found a new gear. He’s still playing with the same motor, but now with more control.
The reckless fouls that once plagued him have been replaced with discipline and savvy. After a gritty comeback win over Texas Tech - arguably Kansas’ best road win in recent memory - head coach Bill Self didn’t hold back in his praise, calling Bidunga “the best defensive player in the entire country.”
That’s not hyperbole, either.
In a three-day span, Bidunga effectively shut down two of the league’s more dangerous scorers in JT Toppin and AJ Dybantsa - both known for drawing fouls and creating mismatches. Self highlighted the key to Bidunga’s defensive evolution: he’s no longer lunging or gambling. Instead, he’s staying vertical, moving his feet, and using his length to alter shots without fouling.
The advanced numbers back it up. Since that players-only meeting, Bidunga’s block rate has jumped to 11.7%.
His season average of 9.6% ranks 26th nationally, and his 2.6 blocks per game place him sixth in the country. That’s elite rim protection - and he’s doing it while averaging just 1.6 fouls per 40 minutes since the West Virginia game.
That kind of efficiency is rare, especially for a young big still learning the nuances of high-level college basketball.
But the transformation hasn’t just been on defense. Offensively, Bidunga has taken a noticeable step forward as well.
He’s not just cleaning up around the rim anymore - he’s creating for himself. Over the last six games, he’s averaging 15.8 points per game on a scorching 79.2% shooting from the field.
That’s not a typo. Nearly 80% from the floor.
He’s doing it by being more aggressive, more confident, and more versatile. Self pointed out that Bidunga is now attacking off the bounce - putting the ball on the floor from the perimeter or the high post and getting to the rim.
Against Texas Tech, he scored four points doing just that. For a player who was once reliant on lobs and dump-offs, this is a huge development.
It’s clear that confidence is playing a role here. Teammate Melvin Council Jr. noted that Bidunga tends to play his best when he gets involved early, especially when he scores in the opening minutes.
But what’s changed even more is Bidunga’s mindset. He’s no longer waiting to be spoon-fed touches - he’s hunting them.
And even when the ball doesn’t find him, he’s still locked in defensively, something that wasn’t always the case earlier in the season.
“I’ve definitely seen a different approach out of him,” Council said. “If Flory doesn’t get the ball, I get mad because he deserves to get it - he plays defense for us. Back then, when we didn’t give him the ball, sometimes he didn’t play defense.”
That shift in mentality - from reactive to proactive - has made all the difference. And it’s not just a hot streak.
It’s the natural progression of a player growing into his role. As Self put it, Bidunga was a part-time player last year.
Now, as a full-time starter deep into the season, he’s showing exactly why he belongs.
“He’s a better player,” Self said. “You should be a better player.
You become a starter, and you should be better now in game 20 than you were in game two. He’s certainly doing a nice job.
He’s having a nice year.”
Nice might be an understatement. If Bidunga keeps playing at this level, Kansas isn’t just a threat in the Big 12 - they’re a team no one will want to face in March.