Sananda Fru is one of Louisville basketball's most anticipated newcomers on the team as the 4-star forward is expected to be a crucial piece for Pat Kelsey. Fru comes to the Cardinals from Germany, where he played for Lowen Braunschweig and put up impressive numbers, making him one of Kelsey's hidden gems.
While the whole nation is blown away by Kelsey's 5-star commit, Mikel Brown Jr., it is key to remind everyone about their other 2025 commits. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound forward is expected to play both power forward and center this upcoming season, and will see the best of him when he plays alongside Brown.
Ever since Louisville earned Brown's commitment, he has immediately become the face of Louisville. The historic 5-star commit is poised to unlock Fru's game and create one of the deadliest duos in college basketball. With the whole nation scared and worried about Brown, the guard will be able to unlock Fru's athleticism and make Fru one of the best lob threats in the nation.
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Mikel Brown Jr. is key to making Sananda Fru an elite lob threat
Brown is going to be the face of this program next year, and the team will go as far as the freshman can take them. However, the addition of Fru and the athleticism he brings will take some weight off Brown's shoulders, and the two freshmen should be able to play smoothly next to each other.
Brown can create space for himself, as well as for others. The 6-foot-5 guard can penetrate the defense and find holes to create shots for others. During the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, Brown was the best playmaker on the floor.
He was driving through the lane, and at some times, he was finishing through contact, while at other times, he was throwing lobs to the United States forwards. Brown led Team USA in assists with 6.1 per game, proving he is going to make everyone around him better.
When Brown shares the floor with Fru, the German forward is going to be an elite defender and be the rim protector the Cardinals need, with James Scott transferring to Ole Miss. Taking that pressure off of Brown will allow Brown to command the offense and run the show for Kelsey.
Fru is a 6-foot-11 forward who can run the floor and be an elite lob threat, as shown in the latest video on social media. The 4-star is seen as the screener in many clips, and fans are already daydreaming about the big man setting screens for Brown, rolling to the cup, and slamming a lob from Brown.
Caution: Fru at Work ⚠️#GoCards pic.twitter.com/cOW80u8EQJ
— Louisville Men's Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) July 12, 2025
Brown proved this summer that he has elite court vision and can read the floor extremely well. When he can get downhill, he makes the right play nine times out of 10. Brown will most likely draw a lot of attention when he drives to the basket, and when he does, he will have a massive lob threat with Brown rolling with him, or some elite sharpshooters in the corner he can kick to.
Fru averaged 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game, while shooting 66.8% from the floor, according to Real GM. He joined an elite NBA company and earned the Basketball Bundesliga's Best German Young Player award last season, and playing alongside Brown should only make him better.
Fru is a big-time athlete who is going to surprise many this upcoming season. He has NBA potential, and the two freshmen are going to be a nightmare duo for the ACC and college basketball.
Related: Louisville basketball’s 4-star commit joins elite NBA company after top honor
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