Kansas forward Flory Bidunga is keeping his options open this summer.
Bidunga, who just finished his sophomore season with the Jayhawks, intends to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, while maintaining his college eligibility, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Thursday.
Additionally, Bidunga is entering the NCAA transfer portal and is open to a collegiate return.
Bidunga’s decision comes after he was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in blocks while averaging 13.3 points per game.
“I’m certainly fired up that Flory received what I thought should be his,” head coach Bill Self told reporters. “Because to me, he’s the most versatile and best defender in our league. And there’s some other good ones too…
“The biggest steps I would say [Flory has made are] staying disciplined and understanding to play to his length rather than play to gamble. I think he’s done a much better job with that.”
Despite declaring for the draft, Bidunga is able to retain his NCAA eligibility because of a complex process that allows players to keep their amateur status.
In order to maintain college eligibility, players must file as an early entry applicant, requesting an Undergraduate Advisory Committee evaluation by the April deadline, along with hiring only an NCAA-certified agent or opting to go without an agent altogether.
The player must also participate in the NBA Draft Combine and inform their school on the Monday following the draft that they are returning.
Still, if a player does get selected by a team, their eligibility is immediately forfeited, which is designed to protect NBA organizations and their draft picks.
Players can enter and withdraw twice, and the system is designed for athletes to get a taste of what the draft process is like while also increasing their stock for either the next season or, in Bidunga’s case, the transfer portal.
The trend has become increasingly prevalent with NCAA players across recent seasons, with Bronny James notably choosing this method ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Since James was ultimately chosen by the Lakers with the No. 55 pick, he forfeited his college eligibility.
The NCAA has voiced its disdain regarding this and has proposed changes to the eligibility rules, including one that would prevent athletes who have entered and remained in a pro sports draft from playing at the collegiate level.
If approved by the NCAA Division I cabinet, the new rules would be effective for college athletes starting this fall.
“These proposed changes reflect ongoing work by Division I members to modernize our rules to align with the current era of college sports,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, who is chair of the cabinet, said Wednesday. “As Division I members proceed with reviewing all eligibility rules in the months ahead, our focus will be establishing rules that have objective criteria that can be consistently applied for both prospects and current student-athletes.”
