University of Kansas basketball recruiting

Kansas signee Flory Bidunga, a 6-foot-9 center from Kokomo, Indiana, was named to the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday, making him the 51st signee in KU program history to receive the honor.

Bidunga will compete along with 23 of the nation’s top boys basketball players in the class of 2024 in the all-star game on April 2 in Houston.

Bidunga, who grew up playing soccer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before coming stateside and turning his attention to basketball, is the consensus top center in the nation in his recruiting class and will join the Jayhawks next season.

KU coach Bill Self, speaking about the selection on his “Hawk Talk” radio show Tuesday night, said that Bidunga “can set and get out of a ball screen as quick as anybody.”

“He’s going to be a load for other people to guard and he could be a terrific defender too,” Self said. “Probably about as quick as any big guy that I can remember us having. But not the most physical; he’s still thin and certainly can put on some strength. We’re obviously very excited about him.”

KU also has commitments from four-star guards Rakease Passmore and Labaron Philon for next season.

The Jayhawks are still in contention for other prospects in the class, including at least one of the three uncommitted McDonald’s All-Americans; small forward Bryson Tucker is believed to be deciding between KU, Michigan State and playing professionally with NBA G League Ignite, as On3 reported last week.

Current KU guard Elmarko Jackson was in last year’s edition of the game, where he scored seven points with an assist and a rebound for the East squad.

Bidunga will play for the West team under the tutelage of three coaches from North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas, led by Tommy Brakel.