Louisville Freshman Fru Has Loophole to Leave for NBA Anytime

Fru, a 22-year-old big man, can sign with an NBA team immediately due to a unique eligibility rule.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Sananda Fru, a freshman basketball player at the University of Louisville, has a loophole that would allow him to leave college and sign with an NBA team at any time. Fru, who is 22 years old, previously played professionally in Europe before joining Louisville. Due to this, he is considered an NBA free agent and can bypass the NBA draft process to join the league whenever he chooses.

Why it matters

This is an unusual situation that highlights how the influx of overseas players into the NCAA has created new eligibility rules. Fru's ability to leave college at any time for the NBA could have major implications for Louisville's season and the player's own future.

The details

Fru, a 6-foot-11 big man, is no ordinary college freshman. He played professionally in Europe before arriving at Louisville, making him 22 years old. Because of this, Fru is considered an NBA free agent and is not eligible to be drafted. He can therefore sign with an NBA team at any point, rather than having to wait for the NBA draft.

  • Fru, 22, played professionally in Europe before joining Louisville as a freshman this season.

The players

Sananda Fru

A 22-year-old freshman basketball player at the University of Louisville who previously played professionally in Europe, making him eligible to sign with an NBA team at any time.

Thijs de Ridder

A college player in a similar situation to Fru, having played professionally in Europe before joining the NCAA, which makes him eligible to sign with an NBA team at any time.

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What they’re saying

“The NIL-driven influx of overseas players into the NCAA has also created an interesting sub-species of prospect: the post-draft college guy.”

— John Hollinger, Analyst (The Athletic)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Fru will choose to leave Louisville for the NBA at any point during the current season or wait until the offseason.

The takeaway

Fru's unique eligibility situation highlights how the changing landscape of college basketball, including the rise of NIL deals and the influx of overseas players, is creating new loopholes and opportunities for talented players to bypass the traditional path to the NBA.