Marquette University Athletics
Sananda Fru (11) shoots over Joshua Clark (8) during a workout this week in Kasten Gym.
Fall Workouts Fully Underway for #MUBB
9/11/2026 5:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Versatility a Focus Early for the Golden Eagles
Following a summer filled with offseason workouts and a continued emphasis on player development, the Marquette University men's basketball team had one final opportunity to reset at the end of August before returning to campus for the start of the fall program and academic year.
Two weeks into fall workouts, the Golden Eagles are quickly building toward the season.
The early work inside the Al McGuire Center has centered on fundamentals, small-group segments and situational drills, but there has already been a noticeable edge to the atmosphere in Kasten Gym. Coaches have consistently emphasized pace and purpose, while communication and reactions from teammates have echoed throughout the gym as workouts have gradually progressed into more full-court, up-and-down action.
The opening weeks of the fall have also provided Marquette with an opportunity to continue developing chemistry for a roster that features both returning players and new additions.
That chemistry was on display when the Golden Eagles worked through a half-court, three-on-three segment during the first week. Receiving the ball near the wing to start the rep, Nigel James Jr. approached a screen from Royce Parham and, in two quick steps, was already down the lane. With two defenders meeting him near the basket, James Jr. hooked a pass back toward the top of the key, anticipating Parham would relocate into the open space. Parham knocked down the three-pointer, prompting a quick approving exchange between the two.
Plays like that have also provided glimpses of the versatility and connectivity Marquette is working to build on offensively. Sananda Fru is among the newcomers beginning to find his place within the offense in a similar way.
"I think I really fit into the system and how they play here," Fru said. "What I've seemed to notice is that, instead of being only a post-up type of player, they're looking for a more versatile player, someone who can impact ball screens, especially with NJ, one of the highest-usage guys on the team and just help him out."
Fru, a senior forward from Germany who transferred to Marquette from the University of Louisville, finished last season second in the nation in two-point field goal percentage at nearly 77 percent.
At Marquette, Fru is being asked to impact the game in a variety of ways, including operating in ball-screen actions, making decisions in space and using his versatility beyond the paint. As he becomes more comfortable within the system, Fru believes those opportunities can help bring out more of his game.
"I would say the things the coaches expect from me, I'm able to achieve here," Fru added. "The more I play here, I feel like the more I can achieve and the better I can be compared to the years before. So, I'm really looking forward to starting to play."
Like Fru, other players have been placed in different situations throughout workouts, challenging them to read, react and make plays rather than simply operate from one spot on the floor. For a roster with several players capable of impacting the game in multiple ways, those repetitions are giving the Golden Eagles opportunities to explore different combinations and options as the offense continues to take shape.
With Marquette in the early stages of its fall install, the first two weeks have provided an initial look at how the pieces could fit together ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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Two weeks into fall workouts, the Golden Eagles are quickly building toward the season.
The early work inside the Al McGuire Center has centered on fundamentals, small-group segments and situational drills, but there has already been a noticeable edge to the atmosphere in Kasten Gym. Coaches have consistently emphasized pace and purpose, while communication and reactions from teammates have echoed throughout the gym as workouts have gradually progressed into more full-court, up-and-down action.
The opening weeks of the fall have also provided Marquette with an opportunity to continue developing chemistry for a roster that features both returning players and new additions.
That chemistry was on display when the Golden Eagles worked through a half-court, three-on-three segment during the first week. Receiving the ball near the wing to start the rep, Nigel James Jr. approached a screen from Royce Parham and, in two quick steps, was already down the lane. With two defenders meeting him near the basket, James Jr. hooked a pass back toward the top of the key, anticipating Parham would relocate into the open space. Parham knocked down the three-pointer, prompting a quick approving exchange between the two.
Plays like that have also provided glimpses of the versatility and connectivity Marquette is working to build on offensively. Sananda Fru is among the newcomers beginning to find his place within the offense in a similar way.
"I think I really fit into the system and how they play here," Fru said. "What I've seemed to notice is that, instead of being only a post-up type of player, they're looking for a more versatile player, someone who can impact ball screens, especially with NJ, one of the highest-usage guys on the team and just help him out."
Fru, a senior forward from Germany who transferred to Marquette from the University of Louisville, finished last season second in the nation in two-point field goal percentage at nearly 77 percent.
At Marquette, Fru is being asked to impact the game in a variety of ways, including operating in ball-screen actions, making decisions in space and using his versatility beyond the paint. As he becomes more comfortable within the system, Fru believes those opportunities can help bring out more of his game.
"I would say the things the coaches expect from me, I'm able to achieve here," Fru added. "The more I play here, I feel like the more I can achieve and the better I can be compared to the years before. So, I'm really looking forward to starting to play."
Like Fru, other players have been placed in different situations throughout workouts, challenging them to read, react and make plays rather than simply operate from one spot on the floor. For a roster with several players capable of impacting the game in multiple ways, those repetitions are giving the Golden Eagles opportunities to explore different combinations and options as the offense continues to take shape.
With Marquette in the early stages of its fall install, the first two weeks have provided an initial look at how the pieces could fit together ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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Players Mentioned
Sunday, September 06
Monday, August 31
Friday, August 28
Thursday, August 20