The Louisville Cardinals have once again tapped into the international talent pool, with head coach Pat Kelsey securing the team’s third overseas recruit. A 20-year-old standout from Peristeri B.C. in the Greek Basketball League, joins Sananda Fru and Mouhamed Camara in bolstering the roster.
Kelsey’s latest addition is expected to significantly elevate Louisville’s frontcourt, potentially making it one of the strongest in the ACC. The group will now feature Fru, Kasean Pryor, J’Vonne Hadley, Camara, and possibly Aly Khalifa.
The latest addition to the Cardinals, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 250 pounds, brings a wealth of experience, having played for the Greek national team. As a power forward/center, he boasts a soft touch around the basket and excels as a finisher. His dominant presence in the paint on both offense and defense makes him an ideal replacement for James Scott.
Louisville basketball lands massive commitment from elite international forward
Hailing from Greece, Zougris has built an impressive international resume with standout performances in the past two FIBA U20 World competitions, earning All-Tournament Team honors in both. At the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, he averaged a double-double with 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He followed that with another strong showing at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, averaging 11.6 points and 8.3 rebounds over seven games.
Most recently, Zougris played in the Greek Basketball League (GBL), where he appeared in 23 games and posted averages of 7.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per contest. He demonstrated exceptional efficiency around the rim, shooting an impressive 68.5 percent from the field—highlighting his value as a strong interior presence and an ideal addition to Louisville’s frontcourt following the departure of James Scott to Ole Miss.
A staple in Greece’s national program since 2021, Zougris continues to represent his country, most recently averaging 5.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game at the 2025 FIBA Europe Cup.
The Cardinals now have earned four total commitments from the 2025 cycle. 5-star recruit Mikel Brown Jr will lead Louisville’s freshman class. The elite point guard is ranked as high as the No. 6 recruit in the 2025 class and the No. 1 point guard.
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