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Photo by: Mallory Peak | Louisville Athletics
October 30, 2026 | Men's Basketball
He is the third Cardinal to be named to a Naismith Starting 5 preseason watch list
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – University of Louisville junior forward Flory Bidunga was named the 2027 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday afternoon.
The annual Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, named after the Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion, celebrates its 13th year by honoring the top center in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Bidunga is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Big 12 in blocks (91) and blocks per game (2.6) while finishing the 2025-26 season fourth and fifth, respectively, in those categories nationally.
Bidunga, originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, shot 64% from the floor during the year, leading the Big 12 and ranking 10th around the country. He logged four games of 20 or more points and notched 13 double-doubles during the season. Overall, Bidunga averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
The 6-10, 235-pound forward earned All-Big 12 First Team and All-Defensive Team honors. In addition to the league honors, Bidunga was a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award and was on both late season lists for the Naismith Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
During his freshman year, Bidunga set the Kansas freshman field goal percentage record as he shot at a blistering 69.8% clip. He led the Jayhawks with 54 blocks on the year and his average of 1.6 blocks per game was third best in the Big 12.
On Wednesday night against Mercyhurst, Bidunga finished with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds, tacking one two blocks and a steal.
The annual Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, named after the Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion, celebrates its 13th year by honoring the top center in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Bidunga is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Big 12 in blocks (91) and blocks per game (2.6) while finishing the 2025-26 season fourth and fifth, respectively, in those categories nationally.
Bidunga, originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, shot 64% from the floor during the year, leading the Big 12 and ranking 10th around the country. He logged four games of 20 or more points and notched 13 double-doubles during the season. Overall, Bidunga averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
The 6-10, 235-pound forward earned All-Big 12 First Team and All-Defensive Team honors. In addition to the league honors, Bidunga was a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award and was on both late season lists for the Naismith Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
During his freshman year, Bidunga set the Kansas freshman field goal percentage record as he shot at a blistering 69.8% clip. He led the Jayhawks with 54 blocks on the year and his average of 1.6 blocks per game was third best in the Big 12.
On Wednesday night against Mercyhurst, Bidunga finished with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds, tacking one two blocks and a steal.
Players Mentioned
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