CHICAGO — When you're a projected NBA lottery pick, every word carries weight. And when Mikel Brown Jr. speaks about a teammate, people listen.

The 20-year-old Louisville point guard, fresh off a 20-minute media session at the NBA draft combine on May 13, was already stepping off the riser when a final question stopped him in his tracks. The topic? His former teammate, 6-foot-11 big man Sananda Fru — now a key transfer acquisition for Marquette.

Brown's response was immediate and emphatic. "Just a big supporter. He loves his guards to death, especially a guard that's going to get him the ball. But I think when he's locked in… one of the top bigs in the nation. One-hundred percent. When he's locked in, it's just a different type of beast that he is."

For Golden Eagles fans, that's music to their ears. Landing an impact big man was Marquette's top offseason priority, and Fru — a German native who averaged 9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds for Louisville last season — fits the bill perfectly.

Brown's description of Fru echoes the way former Marquette players talked about Oso Ighodaro, now making waves with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. The comparison is uncanny: "Being able to guard guards. Being able to switch pick-and-rolls. Being able to block shots. Being able to run the floor, he's great in that aspect. I miss him to death. Can't wait to see him again."

But Brown wasn't done. Before heading off to continue his own draft preparations — he's a likely lottery pick, possibly even in play for the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 10 — he banged on the interview table for emphasis and delivered the final word on what made Fru so special.

"Sets nasty screens. Got me open on a lot of shots and I got him a lot of freaking dunks."

That chemistry between guard and big man? It's exactly what Marquette fans should be looking forward to this season.