No. 1 2024 center Bidunga commits to Kansas

• Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Writer Basketball recruiting insider. Signed up with ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of coaching experience at Department I

  level Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State Aug 12, 2023, 10:47 PM

• ET Flory Bidunga, the top-ranked center in the 2024 class, announced his commitment to Kansas on Saturday.Bidunga, who made his announcement at the UA Next Elite 24

game in Atlanta, selected the Jayhawks over Auburn, Duke and Michigan.”I was excited about Kansas when they provided,”Bidunga informed ESPN.

“We spoke on the phone, and they were severe about me, then I got serious with them. When we went there and met everyone it was fantastic.

Coach [Costs] Self and personnel were constantly at my games. I see him as a coach who will push me and teach me on the court. Off the court, he is a caring and good person. Uproarious and a wise ass in an excellent way off the court.”Duke appeared as the preferred coming out of July, although Kansas maintained a strong position in Bidunga’s recruitment. Auburn made a push down the stretch

, however the Jayhawks were able to land the big male’s commitment.Editor’s Picks

“When I enjoyed practice, I

could see how he believes in his players,” Bidunga said.”I know they will develop my skill and assist me with my goal of making the NBA. My dream is not to simply make it, however stay there. “A native of the Congo, the 6-foot-9

Bidunga is ranked No. 4 general in the ESPN 100 and is the No. 1 center in the class. He burst onto the scene last spring and summer, then backed that up with another dominant showing on the grassroots circuit in July. In 6 games at the Sportradar Showdown in Las Vegas with Indiana Elite, Bidunga balanced 18.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocks.Bidunga, who plans to also play soccer this season at Kokomo High School(Indiana)

, moves exceptionally well and plays with constant energy and effort. Outdoors court, he runs with long strides and fantastic open-court speed. A high-level athlete who possesses strength, bounce and agility, Bidunga is at his finest when finishing plays at the rim, rebounding and blocking shots. His shot-blocking range is remarkable, as his desire to seek rebounds outside of his area. His touch is developing as is his go-to relocation, a left-handed jump-hook on the best block going toward the middle of the paint. He scores with post-up angles inside and he has the hands to capture and score in the high-low game. The next area of enhancement will be his face-up game.Bidunga is Self and Kansas ‘first dedication of the 2024 class and the program’s highest-ranked pledge given that Josh Jackson(No. 2)chose the Jayhawks in the 2016 class.Earlier at the UA Next Elite 24 game, ESPN 100 guard Nasir Mohammed announced his dedication to Notre Dame. The kid of former Kentucky star and first-round NBA draft choice Nazr Mohammed, the 6-foot-5 wing chose the Combating Irish over finalists Marquette, Stanford, Virginia Tech and Villanova.” The relationship I have developed with coach [Micah] Shrewsberry for many years has been the distinction. His vision for me to be a lead guard and the pieces he is assembling is amazing,” Mohammed informed ESPN. “The history of the basketball program and the school academically fit me completely. “