In a seismic shift on the college basketball recruiting landscape, the Florida Gators have pulled off one of the most stunning moves of the offseason by flipping elite forward Flory Bidunga from the Kansas Jayhawks. The 5-star prospect, long considered a lock for Bill Self’s powerhouse program, announced his decision to commit to Florida in a move that sends shockwaves through both the SEC and the Big 12.
Bidunga, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound big man originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and now starring at Kokomo High School in Indiana, had previously committed to Kansas with hopes of developing under the Jayhawks’ storied system. Ranked among the top 10 players nationally by most recruiting services, Bidunga is renowned for his elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and explosive athleticism in the paint. However, the decision to decommit from Kansas and flip to Todd Golden’s Florida Gators has completely altered the recruiting narrative heading into the 2025 season.
Florida’s aggressive pursuit of Bidunga—spearheaded by Golden and assistant coach Kevin Hovde—was relentless. Sources close to the recruitment suggest that the Gators made a strong late push that emphasized immediate playing time, a modern offensive system tailored to Bidunga’s strengths, and a rapidly rising program trajectory in the SEC. The promise of being a centerpiece in Florida’s frontcourt, coupled with the university’s growing exposure through NIL opportunities, sealed the deal.
Bidunga’s commitment represents one of the biggest recruiting wins for the Gators in over a decade and signals that Florida is once again ready to compete at the highest level of college basketball. With Bidunga anchoring the paint, the Gators now possess a defensive weapon and rim-runner who can change the dynamic of any game. His presence will immediately elevate Florida’s interior play and give the team a legitimate shot at contending in the SEC and beyond.
Meanwhile, Kansas fans are left reeling from the loss. For a program that prides itself on securing and developing elite talent, losing Bidunga this late in the process is nothing short of a gut punch.
In a sport where momentum matters, Florida just made its boldest statement yet: the Gators are back—and they’re coming for the top.