Louisville basketball fans are giving their attention to the NBA withdrawal list for a couple of reasons, and one is their 5-star commitment, Flory Bidunga. The Kansas transfer entered his name in the 2026 NBA Draft and was recently at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine.
Flory Bidunga’s latest quote should have Louisville basketball fans dreaming big
The 5-star transfer made it clear that if he gets a good promise from a team and could be drafted in a decent pick, he would stay in the draft, as it is his dream. Louisville fans, of course, didn’t love that update, as they hope Bidunga returns to college basketball and plays for the Cardinals next season.
Well, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported Tuesday that Illinois star guard Andrej Stojakovic is “trending toward returning to college” instead of staying in the NBA Draft, and Carson Gourdie gave Louisville fans a promising update that Bidunga is in the same category.
Latest Flory Bidunga update is exactly what Louisville basketball fans wanted to hear
Bidunga, of course, wasn’t going to say last week that he would withdraw his name from the draft and try to increase his draft stock. And now, just shortly after the combine, Gourdie reports Bidunga, Duke’s John Blackwell, and Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears are in the same category as Stojakovic.
ESPN's Jeff Borzello placed #illini Andrej Stojakovic in "Trending toward returning to college" over NBA Draft category.
— Carson Gourdie (@GourdieReport) May 19, 2026
He could be a 2nd round pick if he stayed.
Other players in that category: MSU's Jeremy Fears, Duke's John Blackwell & Louisville's Flory Bidunga pic.twitter.com/xQ8cLxtO5t
The Cardinals have legitimate Final Four hopes and expectations for this upcoming season, and a big reason is because of Bidunga. The 5-star transfer ranks No. 1 overall in the Transfer Portal and is unanimously the top-ranked center in the portal.
Bidunga is coming off a dominant season, averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 64 percent from the field. He made the All-Big 12 First Team and earned the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, ranking in the top five in Division I basketball in total blocks and blocks per game.
The Cardinals getting the update that he is trending toward returning to college basketball was exactly what Louisville fans want to hear. Bidunga has until May 27 to ultimately make up his decision if he wants to return to college basketball and play for Louisville or stay in the NBA Draft.
Also read: CBS insider gives Louisville fans even more hope Pat Kelsey can bring in Milan Momcilovic
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
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