photo by: AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) plays during an NCAA college basketball game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Cincinnati.

One of the key building blocks for the Kansas men’s basketball team entering its 2025-26 season could be at risk of leaving the program.

Flory Bidunga plans to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple reports on Saturday afternoon. ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who was first to report the news, added that “Returning to Kansas remains a strong option” for the 6-foot-9 center.

Bidunga, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo but came to Lawrence from Kokomo, Indiana, averaged 5.9 points on 69.8% shooting and 5.4 rebounds in his freshman season as a Jayhawk. A five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American considered one of the top centers in the 2024 class, he played in all 34 games and started six, quickly becoming a fan favorite.

His most extended action came after senior KJ Adams separated his shoulder in January; during a period of five straight starts, Bidunga posted several of his best efforts of the season, including double-doubles against TCU and UCF and a 19-point showing in KU’s double-overtime loss to Houston.

Bidunga will be the second Jayhawk to enter the portal, after fellow post player Zach Clemence did so on Friday.

The possibility of losing Bidunga could reshape KU’s approach in the transfer portal, and it follows a series of comments in which various Jayhawks expressed enthusiasm about teaming up with him next year. Most notably, incoming highly touted guard Darryn Peterson said following a recent high school game at Haskell Indian Nations University that Bidunga was the player he was most looking forward to playing with next season.

KU coach Bill Self said of Bidunga, during the NCAA Tournament, “I think his ceiling is as high as anyone in our program, and I think his ceiling is one of the highest we have had at Kansas for the last several years.”