With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, many NBA fans are ready to tune in and watch some of the top 2026 NBA Draft prospects. The 2026 NBA Draft has the potential to be one of the best draft classes in recent memory as it will be led by Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, but the top 10 has star power potential.
Louisville basketball’s Mikel Brown Jr. is one of the top draft prospects, who many are very high on, but with a recent back injury and some ups and downs this season, some are also a bit skeptical about the 5-star freshman. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo recently updated his 2026 NBA mock draft and confirmed that despite any questions about his injury and inconsistency, Brown is still trending to be a top-10 pick.
Pat Kelsey's Mikel Brown Jr. injury update is exactly what Louisville fans want to hear
Mikel Brown Jr. still has top-10 potential despite back injury
Brown has now missed 12 games this season with a back injury, and while many are beginning to worry that the 19-year-old's back injury could affect his status as a top-10 pick, Woo confirms he is still likely to be a top-10 pick.
"Although he's shooting just 41% from the field this season, scouts feel comfortable with his history and that his dynamic perimeter shot-creation (34% from 3) remains a strong attribute. The ups and downs of his season haven't helped his draft profile, though. But he fared better after returning from injury in February. Brown still projects somewhere inside the top 10, with evaluators remaining bullish on his upside as a tall (6-5) backcourt playmaker."Jeremy Woo
Brown is reportedly “really close” to returning for the NCAA Tournament, but Woo reported, “this has become a situation NBA teams want to learn more about when he completes his medical test at the combine in May.”
The Cardinals' 5-star freshman missed 42 days and eight games from December through January, and has now missed four games straight. Brown is averaging 18.2 points while shooting 41 percent, but before this injury, he was averaging 29 points on 52 percent shooting from the field and 54 percent from downtown across five games.
Brown is projected to be the No. 8 pick and selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in Woo's mock draft.
Related: 3 Louisville Cardinals who must step up after Mikel Brown Jr.'s injury update
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's 2025-26 season and recruiting, stay tuned.