In the rapidly evolving landscape of basketball, one name is making waves – Flory Bidunga. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this high school phenom is turning heads with his incredible basketball prowess. The latest development, which has sent a wave of excitement across the basketball world, is Bidunga’s potential interest in Michigan.
Bidunga’s journey to the United States began in 2021, when he enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Kokomo High School in Indiana. His towering height and raw basketball skills quickly caught the eye of local basketball coach John Peckinpaugh, an impressive achievement for someone who only started playing the sport at age 12.
His basketball development trajectory has been astounding. Initially unranked in the major national recruiting rankings for the Class of 2024, Bidunga has surged to No. 4 on ESPN.com, No. 2 on Rivals, and No. 3 on 247Sports. Veteran recruiting scout, Frank Burlison, lauds Bidunga for his physique, instinctive game sense, and relentless drive, and anticipates even more growth in his future performance.
Bidunga’s impressive statistics speak for themselves. During his first season at Kokomo, he averaged 17.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 5.3 blocks, guiding the team to the semifinals of Indiana’s Class 4A tournament. His performance at the Charlie Hughes Classic propelled him to an invitation to the elite NBPA Top 100 camp. Here, he maintained a stellar record, averaging 10.4 points (on a whopping 75.8 percent shooting), 6.4 rebounds, and two blocks over five games, marking him as the second-highest blocker at the camp.
2024 5⭐️ Center Flory Bidunga on his official visit to Michigan 🔥 @FBidunga
— Michigan Wolverines 〽️ (@uofmcoverage) June 3, 2023
Flory is the #1 Center in the country via 247sports #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/pfIjYkqxac
Interest in Bidunga’s talent began with Bradley University but soon extended to schools such as Cincinnati, Georgetown, Purdue, Wake Forest, Auburn, and Kentucky. The NBA G League’s Ignite team even showed up to observe his games, hinting at professional interest.
But the recent development that has followers of the Maize and Blue talking is Bidunga’s potential interest in Michigan. This is highlighted by his recent visit to the Wolverines’ campus, sparking rumors about a possible second visit. This indicates strong interest in the program, which comes as no surprise given Michigan’s head coach Juwan Howard’s reputation for developing big men. With only Tarris Reed currently serving as a dominant big man on the Wolverines’ roster, Bidunga’s addition would be a game-changer.
Bidunga’s recent visit has given Michigan fans a glimmer of hope that this rising star might consider Ann Arbor for his next basketball journey. The sporting world is waiting with bated breath to see how this young talent’s interest will shape his future in basketball. If Michigan is indeed in his sights, it promises an exciting new chapter for both Flory Bidunga and the Wolverines.
Stay up to date on Michigan football and basketball news! Follow Wolverine Chronicle on Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, and TikTok. Keep an eye out for exclusive interviews, podcast episodes, and more!
