Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. is already setting the tone for a reunion that will draw plenty of eyes in Lawrence.
Council was asked about facing former teammate Flory Bidunga after the forward left Kansas for Louisville this offseason, and he made it clear he does not plan to treat the exhibition like a friendly get-together. His answer pointed straight to one of basketball’s most famous all-out competitive moments.
“All I’ve got to say is, you guys saw the Kobe Bryant-Pau Gasol video for Team USA? I’m going to leave it at that,” Council said, according to Sports Illustrated’s report on his comments.
The comparison reaches back to the 2008 Olympics, when Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, despite being Lakers teammates, battled each other hard in the gold-medal setting. Council’s point was obvious: when the ball goes up, the relationship takes a back seat.
That makes the upcoming Kansas-Louisville exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse even more intriguing. Council and Bidunga weren’t just teammates; they built a strong connection during their time together in Lawrence. Council was one of Kansas’ emotional leaders last season, while Bidunga carved out a reputation as one of the Big 12’s best defensive players.
Bidunga’s numbers only sharpen the spotlight on his return. According to Sports Illustrated’s coverage, he averaged 13.3 points and nine rebounds per game during the 2025-26 season and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Council was productive in his own right, putting up 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and five rebounds per game. His return to Lawrence for the 2026-27 campaign gives Kansas another veteran guard who knows what comes with wearing that jersey.
For the Jayhawks, the exhibition offers more than just a reunion. It’s also an early test against a strong opponent before the regular season starts, with Bidunga adding a familiar twist to the matchup. Kansas fans will get the emotional side of it too, since Bidunga was such an important piece of last year’s team and will now walk back into Allen Fieldhouse in a Louisville uniform.
Whatever the personal bond still looks like off the floor, Council’s message leaves no doubt about his approach once the game begins: he plans to compete like it matters.
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