Will Mark Pope and Kentucky make a run after Flory Bidunga in the transfer portal?

A massive name declared for the transfer portal on Thursday, as former Kansas center declared for the NBA Draft while keeping his eligibility and hitting the portal. Bidunga is going to test the NBA waters but will more than likely get some feedback, then come back to college for another season.

This year for the Jayhawks, the star center averaged 13.3 points, nine rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Bidunga’s metrics analytically at EvanMiya.com had Bidunga ranked as the best player for Kansas over Darryn Peterson. On offense, his rating was a 4.11, which was the best on the team, as was his defensive rating, which was a whopping 5.32.

Mar 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Analytically, this has Bidunga ranked as one of the best 15 players in the nation, so he would be an elite addition to any roster for next season. The question is, will Mark Pope go after the elite center in the transfer portal?

Bidunga is going to be asking for a ton of NIL money, so it will be interesting to see if Pope is interested. Pope would love a center who can score down low and is physical but can also play an elite level of defense. The question would be can Bidunga fit Pope’s system of handling the ball and getting the offense started? He really hasn’t been asked to do this much during his time at Kansas.

It sounds like the early team to watch for Bidunga is the Duke Blue Devils, so it is still to be seen if Coach Pope will make a move on the elite center. One concern with Bidunga could be waiting for him to announce that he is coming back to college and not going to the NBA Draft. If he draws this out for a few weeks and the Wildcats pursue him and don’t land him, Pope and the staff could be in a real tough spot.

No. 1 player in the portal. Flory Bidunga.

Somebody is gonna have to pay some $$$$ pic.twitter.com/dYiK3VhPCE
— Jacob Davis (@jacobdaviscfb) April 3, 2026

If Bidunga wanted to come to Kentucky, I’m sure Coach Pope would want him, but there are lots of concerns for Kentucky when it comes to Bidunga as a system fit and having to wait on a commitment. It sounds great on paper, but I feel like this is a recruitment that Coach Pope and the staff are going to stay away from just based on those two factors.

Pope is going to have to get himself an elite center in the transfer portal, but I feel that he is going to look in another direction than Bidunga.