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'A can't-miss event.' Kokomo is place to see Flory Bidunga — the hottest ticket in Indiana


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Posted

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/12/17/kokomo-flory-bidunga-taking-indiana-high-school-basketball-by-storm-recruiting/69735017007/

(Note: Story is behind a paywall)

Quote

KOKOMO – Welcome to the show. The Show. Capital letters here are warranted and only one name is necessary.

The name is Flory. Sort of like Drake (or maybe Prince or Elvis, depending on your generation), Flory is the only name needed around Kokomo. His last name is Bidunga, though he was too polite to tell public address announcer Terry Downham and radio voice Chris Lowry last year that is pronounced “Bih-dune-guh” and not “Bih-duhn-gah” all last season.

Maybe that is fitting, though. Last year was about getting acquainted. Bidunga, in his first high school basketball season after coming to Kokomo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, did not really know what he was doing on the court despite his 6-9, 215-pound frame. And fans at Kokomo’s Memorial Gymnasium were not sure exactly what they were watching.

....

In front of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Cincinnati assistant Mike Roberts on Friday, Bidunga finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocked shots for his second consecutive triple-double. In the third quarter alone, he had 12 points, four rebounds and four blocked shots to bring Kokomo from a two-point halftime deficit to a 61-48 lead in front of a raucous crowd.

Kokomo fans know what they are watching now. And Bidunga, at the very least, has a good idea of what he’s doing. The “dunk-o-meter” to track Flory’s dunks in the student section reached seven by the end of the game, though it felt like more.

....

Kokomo loves a winner. Who doesn’t? Peckinpaugh knows what that is like, too, starting on state finalist teams at Muncie Central. Last year, Kokomo fans got a taste of it again when Bidunga caught the attention of the state by leading the Wildkats to the Class 4A semistate before losing to Chesterton, averaging 17.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 5.3 blocked shots per game.

Around Kokomo, it raised the stakes. And the Wildkats (4-2) have good players around Bidunga, like senior guard Zavion Bellamy (22 points Friday), sophomore Zion Bellamy (12 points) and junior Reis Beard (19 points). There is a reason hopes are high.

....

I hope to get to the 12/20 game against Zionsville to see young Mr. Bidunga in action.    It's at Kokomo's Memorial Gymnasium, one of Indiana true basketball palaces.  That place should be rocking.

 

 

Posted
1 hour ago, Coach Nowlin said:

@Muda69   what was the report from the game?  make it?   

Yes, I made it.  The game was disappointing for the WildKats.  Zionsville was controlling the first half, then young Mr. Bidunga left the game with about 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter due to some kind of finger injury. That allowed Zionsville's big man to score like 5-6 additional points before the end of the half.  I think Bidunga ended up with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

The Kats got to within 5 points about halfway thru the third quarter but then the Eagles started raining 3's and it was pretty much over.  Zionsville won by 11.

 

 

 

  • Like 1
  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...
Posted

So a classic rust-belt town with a 6'10" wunderkind versus an undefeated and nationally ranked Indianapolis megaschool.   Who wins?

 

  • 7 months later...
Posted
On 11/9/2023 at 1:38 PM, BDGiant93 said:

Flory seems like an amazing guy. I am really glad he landed at Kokomo. It seems like he is embraced by the community.

Yes, he does and he has.  Too bad an in-state D1 program couldn't successfully recruit him.

 

  • 5 months later...
Posted

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/04/23/flory-bidunga-of-kokomo-a-kansas-recruited-is-voted-indiana-mr-basketball-2024/73431185007/

Quote

...

The 6-9 Bidunga, who is signed to play for Kansas, added a prestigious accolade to his resume on Tuesday night as he was crowned 2024 IndyStar Mr. Basketball during the High School Sports Awards show at Butler University’s Clowes Hall. Bidunga was named on 198 ballots to outdistance runner-up Jack Benter of Brownstown Central, who had 122. Mr. Basketball is voted on by high school coaches and media statewide and goes to the state’s top senior.

Bidunga is the third Mr. Basketball winner from Kokomo, joining Tom Schwartz (1945) and Jimmy Rayl (1959).

....

A worthy achievement.  Congratulations to young Mr. Bidunga, and good luck at Kansas.

 

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