Louisville basketball fans have had their eyes on the NBA Draft for multiple reasons, including their 5-star commitment, Flory Bidunga. The Kansas transfer is the No. 1 overall transfer in the portal and committed to Louisville back in April after the Transfer Portal opened.
Flory Bidunga’s latest quote should have Louisville basketball fans dreaming big
The 5-star center was going through the NBA Draft process, having recently attended the NBA Combine and having his name in the 2026 NBA Draft. Cardinals fans grew a bit worried when Bidunga made it clear his dream is to play in the NBA, and that if an NBA team made him a promise, he would stay in the draft.
Well, Louisville fans don’t have to worry anymore as the Cardinals fans officially learned late Monday night that Bidunga withdrew his name from the 2026 NBA Draft, meaning he will play for Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals next season.
NEWS: Flory Bidunga is withdrawing from the NBA Draft and will officially play for Louisville next season, per @On3 pic.twitter.com/dZguvIw5rV
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 26, 2026
Flory Bidunga withdraws from the 2026 NBA Draft
Bidunga is a unanimous 5-star transfer in the portal and is ranked as high as the No. 1 center and the No. 1 overall transfer. The Kansas transfer has a dominant presence in the paint, exactly what Cardinals fans were begging Kelsey to get in the portal.
Bidunga is coming off an All-Big 12 season in which he made the First Team after averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. His 2.6 blocks per game ranked in the top five nationally, along with his 91 blocks on the year.
His ability to take over the paint and protect the rim is one of the biggest appeals to his game, and is something Louisville desperately missed this past season. With Bidunga officially coming to Louisville, Kelsey and the Cardinals have a dominant one-two punch in their frontcourt with Bidunga and 5-star commitment, Obinna Ekezie Jr.
Ekezie ranked as high as No. 2 in the 2027 recruiting class, and then reclassified to the 2026 class, where he now ranks No. 14. The Cardinals had a dominant offseason, which was highlighted by Bidunga and Ekezie’s commitments.
With Bidunga officially Louisville-bound, this Cardinals team has a legitimate chance to make some real noise this upcoming season. Bidunga and this Cardinals squad are ranked as high as No. 5 in Fox Sports' way-too-early rankings, and with Bidunga officially a Cardinal, Louisville fans are hoping he can guide Louisville to its first Final Four since 2013.
Also read:Â 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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