INDIANAPOLIS — Kokomo’s basketball team hit a low point in March 2021. The Wildkats slumped to a 7-17 record in a third straight losing season and the program’s longest streak since 1913-15.
Then Flory Bidunga arrived and everything changed.
The 6-foot-9 center from the Democratic Republic of the Congo took Kokomo on a three-season journey in which the 'Kats went 69-17 and capped the run with a 2023 Class 4A state runner-up finish.
This year, Bidunga led the Kats to a 25-4 record and their third straight sectional title by averaging 19.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.4 blocks and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 81.4% from the field.
He was rewarded this season by being selected the IndyStar Mr. Basketball and now as the overwhelming top vote-getter on The Associated Press all-state boys team.
The McDonald's All-American bound for Kansas finished scored 1,609 points, grabbed 1,132 rebounds and shot 80.3% from the field (689 of 858) during his prep career while providing plenty of highlights with 323 dunks and 402 blocks.
He was a three-time all-state selection, earning first-team honors each of his final two prep seasons after earning second-team honors as a sophomore.
Brownstown Central senior Jack Benter was a clear second in voting by a panel of sportswriters, broadcasters and coaches around the state after leading his school to the Class 2A state title. Players are selected regardless of grade level or which class in which their schools compete. The top 15 players are selected to the three teams.
The 6-foot-6 Benter, a Purdue recruit, entered the state championship game averaging 25.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists and was a second-team all-state choice in 2023.
Benter was one of three state champions on the all-state teams. Senior forward Keenan Garner of Class 4A champion Fishers is on the first team and senior guard Kody Clancy of Class 3A champion Scottsburg is a member of the third team.
Ben Davis guard K.J. Windham and Brebeuf Jesuit guard Evan Haywood rounded out the all-senior first team. Garner’s Tigers beat Windham’s Giants 65-56 in the Class 4A title game, giving the Tigers their first state title, denying the Giants’ bid for back-to-back titles.
Windham will play at Northwestern while Haywood is headed to Butler. Garner is uncommitted.
The second team is composed of Heritage Hills junior forward Trent Sisley, Greenfield-Central junior guard Braylon Mullins, Wapahani senior guard Isaac Andrews, Lawrence North junior guard Azavier Robinson, and Franklin senior guard Micah Davis.
Davis will play at Eastern Kentucky. Andrews, who led Wapahani to a Class 2A runner-up finish, is uncommitted.
Sisley is a two-time all-state pick, having made the second team in 2023.
The third team has Crispus Attucks junior forward/center Dezmon Briscoe, Noblesville senior guard Aaron Fine, New Palestine junior guard Julius Grizzi, Scottsburg’s Clancy and Fort Wayne Wayne senior guard Jevon Lewis.
Fine intends to play at Purdue as a preferred walk-on.
AP Indiana All-State boys basketball team
FIRST TEAM
Flory Bidunga, Kokomo, 6-9, senior
Jack Benter, Brownstown Central, 6-5, senior
K.J. Windham, Ben Davis, 6-3, senior
Keenan Garner, Fishers, 6-6, senior
Evan Haywood, Brebeuf Jesuit, 6-4, senior
SECOND TEAM
Trent Sisley, Heritage Hills, 6-8, junior
Braylon Mullins, Greenfield-Central, 6-5, junior
Isaac Andrews, Wapahani, 6-1, senior
Azavier Robinson, Lawrence North, 6-2, junior
Micah Davis, Franklin, 6-2, senior
THIRD TEAM
Dezmon Briscoe, Crispus Attucks, 6-7, junior
Aaron Fine, Noblesville, 6-3, senior
Julius Grizzi, New Palestine, 6-3, junior
Kody Clancy, Scottsburg, 6-4, senior
Jevon Lewis, Fort Wayne Wayne, 5-9, senior
HIGH HONORABLE MENTION
Taden Metzger, Fishers; Mark Zackery IV, Ben Davis; Damien King, Anderson; Dominique Murphy, East Chicago Central; Jack Smiley, Valparaiso; Chase Konieczny, South Bend St. Joseph; Kobi Bowles, Lawrence North; Josiah Ball, Maconaquah; Ron Rutland III, Crispus Attucks; Tre Singleton, Jeffersonville; Josiah Dunham, Evansville Christian; Trey Buchanan, Westfield; Brady Koehler, Indianapolis Cathedral; Wyatt Zellers, Scottsburg; JonAthony Hall, Fishers; Jaymen Townsend, Marion; Tyler Parrish, Chesterton; Karson Rogers, Kokomo; Grady Carpenter, Tipton; Jack Svetich, Crown Point; Sam Miagan, Bethesda Christian; Eugene Young Jr., Fort Wayne North; Trevor Daughtry, Wabash; Malachi McNair, Evansville Harrison; Isaac Schultz, Adams Central.