The Louisville Cardinals recently announced that their 4-star commit, Sananda Fru, has made it official and signed to the Louisville Cardinals. The 6-foot-10 forward can stretch the floor and utilize his athleticism to be an elite player next season for Pat Kelsey.
Louisville basketball's head coach has extremely high expectations for the 4-star commit, as he explained in his statement that he expects Fru to make an impact the very first day he steps onto campus. The Cardinals earned four commitments from the 2025 cycle, and three of them were from the international stage.
The most recent commit was Evangelos Zougris, a 6-foot-8 forward or center who committed to Kelsey's Cardinals just last week. Well, he made it official on June 2, and Kelsey fell in love with a specific element of his game, an element that a coach can't teach.
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Pat Kelsey reveals why Zougris is the missing piece in Louisville’s master plan
The Cardinals' monster offseason was not only one of the best in the nation, but it nearly worked to perfection. Kelsey was able to land three of the best shooters in the country, as well as a 5-star point guard in Mikel Brown Jr. Then, to top it all off, they are surrounding these superstars with elite international forwards who will bring grit, physicality, and experience.
The Greek power forward has played four seasons in the Greek Basketball League. Zougris will bring tremendous experience, having represented his home country at multiple FIBA World Cup events, including one earlier this season.
The newest Cardinal has the skills to make an immediate impact, but what Kelsey fell in love with is actually something else —a characteristic that is hard to teach.
"The picture of Zou in his beloved Greek national team jersey as he screams with blood gushing down his face is a perfect depiction of him as a player. Card Nation will love his grit, relentless motor and the unbridled passion he plays with on every possession."Pat Kelsey
Zougris' passion and love for the game is something that Louisville basketball fans are going to fall in love with. He is already set to emerge as a fan favorite, as a player who plays with grit and leaves it all on the floor is quick to earn the respect of fans.
The forward is also a brilliant physical player who can make an impact on both ends of the floor. Zougris represented Greece at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket and averaged 11.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He also represented Greece at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship and played his best basketball, averaging a double-double with 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
"His IQ and skill level are outstanding. He plays very well out of the pick and roll and finishes well around the basket with both power and touch. He provides defensive versatility because of his ability to switch and defend guards off the dribble. He challenges shots at the rim and pursues the ball on the glass. Screening is such an unsung key to modern offense and I believe he does this at an elite level. Playing in one of the best professional leagues in the world for the last several years has prepared him to impact our program immediately."Pat Kelsey
The Louisville Cardinals frontcourt is close to being complete, but a lot will ride on if Aly Khalifa is available or not. The Cardinals' offseason has been one of the best in the nation, giving them the fourth-best odds to win the 2026 National Championship.
Zougris should make an immediate impact on the Cardinals, as his emotion and physicality are exactly what Louisville was missing. The forward appears to be a match made in heaven for Kelsey's master plan, and with just a couple of roster spots left, Louisville will now turn its focus to summer camp.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.