The Louisville Cardinals, coached by Pat Kelsey, just received a major boost for their 2026-27 season roster as a transferee has officially withdrawn from this year’s NBA Draft. On Monday, May 25, former Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga has rescinded his application to the draft to return to college basketball and play for Louisville.
The young talent did so just a couple of days before the deadline for players to withdraw from the draft and keep their college eligibility. As mentioned, Bidunga’s return to collegiate hoops won’t be with the Kansas-based program but rather for coach Kelsey’s Cardinals team.
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Back in late April, Bidunga announced through his Instagram that he is entering the draft while transferring to Louisville. The Kinshasa, Congo native spent the first two years of college with the Jayhawks, and is now gearing up for his junior stint with the Cardinals.
“Louisville signee Flory Bidunga has officially withdrawn from the NBA Draft, source told @On3. Bidunga, a sophomore transfer from Kansas, averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game this season, earning Big 12 Defensive POY,” analyst Joseph Tipton reported.
Bidunga’s return to college basketball can tremendously boost the Cardinals’ bid to the national tournament next season. In the 2025-26 campaign, coach Kelsey and company made it all the way to the second round of March Madness, but lost to coach Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans by eight points, 77-69. They finished the season with an overall record of 24-11 (11-7 ACC).
The same can be said for Bidunga and the rest of coach Bill Self’s Jayhawks last season. Kansas was also eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament, losing to the St. John’s Red Storm by just two points, 67-65.
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ESPN projected Flory Bidunga to be a second round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Flory Bidunga was projected to be selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 42nd pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
If Bidunga pushed through with the draft and indeed got selected by the Spurs, then he’d be joining a team that is currently in the 2026 Western Conference Finals. San Antonio got the pick through the Portland Trail Blazers.
Read More:
Louisville Basketball Recruiting: Ranking the 3 Biggest Impact Players for Pat Kelsey
Will Flory Bidunga Return to Louisville For Another Season? Cardinals Big Man Makes Clear Decision
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Flory Bidunga’s Big Transfer Portal Move Draws Strong Reactions From Fans as College Shake Up Ensues
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