Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus Baylor on January 16, 2026 , Win , 80, to, 62
Final
Men's Basketball
80
vs Baylor
62
Photo by: Kansas Athletics
Bidunga Named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Watch List
2/6/2026 12:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas sophomore Flory Bidunga has been named to the 10-member Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Midseason Watch List, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today.
The annual Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, named after the three-time NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, celebrates its 12th year by highlighting the top center in Division I men's college basketball.
Bidunga leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally with 58 blocked shots, good for an average of 2.6 blocks per game, which also leads the Big 12. The Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo native, who played prep basketball at Kokomo High School in Indiana, also leads the Big 12 in field goal shooting at 67.7 percent, which is sixth nationally. Bidunga has seven double-doubles this season, which ranks fourth in the Big 12.
At 14.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and 2.6 bpg, Bidunga is the only player in NCAA Division I to average more than 14.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game.
In only two seasons, Bidunga has 112 blocked shots which ranks 18th on the Kansas all-time blocked shots list. Bidunga recorded his 100th career blocked shot earlier this season in his 52nd career game, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 blocked shots in KU history.
The watch list will be narrowed to five finalists in mid-March, with the award winner announced ahead of the Final Four. Please note that the watch list will remain fluid throughout the season, and student-athletes may move on or off the list based on performance until the final five finalists are determined.
Beginning Friday, Feb. 6, fans will be able to vote throughout the remaining rounds of the selection process, with the leading vote-getter receiving one additional vote from the selection committee. Fans can vote at www.hoophallawards.com.
The winners of the 2026 Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five.
2026 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Midseason Watch List
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Alex Condon, Florida
FLORY BIDUNGA, KANSAS
Aday Mara, Michigan
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
Oscar Cluff, Purdue
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Tarris Reed, UConn
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
The annual Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, named after the three-time NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, celebrates its 12th year by highlighting the top center in Division I men's college basketball.
Bidunga leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally with 58 blocked shots, good for an average of 2.6 blocks per game, which also leads the Big 12. The Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo native, who played prep basketball at Kokomo High School in Indiana, also leads the Big 12 in field goal shooting at 67.7 percent, which is sixth nationally. Bidunga has seven double-doubles this season, which ranks fourth in the Big 12.
At 14.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg, and 2.6 bpg, Bidunga is the only player in NCAA Division I to average more than 14.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game.
In only two seasons, Bidunga has 112 blocked shots which ranks 18th on the Kansas all-time blocked shots list. Bidunga recorded his 100th career blocked shot earlier this season in his 52nd career game, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 blocked shots in KU history.
The watch list will be narrowed to five finalists in mid-March, with the award winner announced ahead of the Final Four. Please note that the watch list will remain fluid throughout the season, and student-athletes may move on or off the list based on performance until the final five finalists are determined.
Beginning Friday, Feb. 6, fans will be able to vote throughout the remaining rounds of the selection process, with the leading vote-getter receiving one additional vote from the selection committee. Fans can vote at www.hoophallawards.com.
The winners of the 2026 Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five.
2026 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Midseason Watch List
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Alex Condon, Florida
FLORY BIDUNGA, KANSAS
Aday Mara, Michigan
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
Oscar Cluff, Purdue
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
Tarris Reed, UConn
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
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