Flory Bidunga from Kansas and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa have been honored with Big 12 men’s basketball weekly awards for their outstanding performances during the week ending February 8, 2026.
Bidunga played a pivotal role in leading the Jayhawks to two significant victories, including a narrow 64-61 win over No. 13 Texas Tech on Big Monday. The sophomore forward from the Democratic Republic of Congo showcased his skills by scoring 14 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and making two blocks. A crucial moment in the game came when he executed a key dunk with just over two minutes left, helping the Jayhawks close the gap. In a dominating performance against Utah, Bidunga recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, and tied his career-high with seven blocked shots, which also ties for the most blocks in a Conference game this season. This performance earned him his first Big 12 Player of the Week award.
On the other hand, Dybantsa has been a standout as well, averaging an impressive 32.0 points for the week. The freshman forward from Brockton, Massachusetts, was recognized as the Conference’s top newcomer for the fourth time in seven weeks. During his game against Oklahoma State, he exploded for 36 points, including five 3-pointers, and added seven rebounds along with four assists. In a subsequent matchup against Houston, he scored 28 points, contributing five rebounds and four assists. Dybantsa’s shooting prowess was evident as he boasted a remarkable 64.7% shooting percentage from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arc.
Joining Bidunga and Dybantsa in the Big 12 Starting Five for the week were Baylor’s Cameron Carr, Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and TCU’s Xavier Edmonds. Carr averaged 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, playing a crucial role in Baylor’s success, including an 86-67 victory over Colorado. Flemings helped Houston secure double-digit wins against UCF and BYU, averaging 18.5 points and 5.5 assists. Meanwhile, Edmonds had an explosive outing against K-State, scoring 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, leading TCU to victory after overcoming an 18-point deficit.
This recognition highlights the talent present in the Big 12 as players like Bidunga and Dybantsa continue to make significant contributions to their teams at a critical time in the season. Their performances not only uplift their respective programs but also add excitement to the competition within the conference.