Louisville basketball didn’t have the season they hoped for, entering the 2025-26 season with high expectations. Many thought this past season was going to be the year the Cardinals snapped their conference title drought or Final Four drought, but Louisville lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the underwhelming season, the Cardinals' fans saw a pair of stars on their team. One more than the other, but there is no denying Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell were two of the best guards in the ACC when both were on the court. Brown dealt with back pain for the majority of the second half of the season, but still is no question one of the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft.
With the two guards standing out this past year, they are trending toward living their lifelong dream and hearing their names called in the NBA Draft. While everyone knew Brown would be invited to the NBA Combine, Louisville fans got good news yesterday that Conwell received the respect he deserved and was invited as well.
Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr. get invited to NBA Draft Combine
Both Conwell and Brown had All-ACC teams this past year as Conwell led Louisville in points per game, total points, 3-pointers per game, and total made 3-pointers. He made the All-ACC Second Team after averaging 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.3 3’s per game, while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc.
As for Brown, he missed 14 games, including the final six games, which included the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. However, when he played, he proved he is a clear top ten pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He made the All-ACC Third Team after averaging 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. Brown was also invited to the NBA Combine, where he will look to prove he is healthy and his back is not an issue.
The NBA announced today that 73 players have been invited to the AWS NBA Draft Combine 2026, which will take place May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 1, 2026
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the AWS NBA G League Draft Combine 2026,… pic.twitter.com/9w2ncpacCe
Brown and Conwell were two elite guards for Louisville, and while the Cards fans, of course, wished Mikel didn’t get hurt, he made history in his lone season. Brown broke the Louisville and the ACC Freshman points record with his dominant 45-point performance against North Carolina State, and he tied Louisville’s record for most points in a single game and most made 3’s in a single game with 10.
Brown is likely to be a top 10 pick in the draft, and for Conwell, the NBA Combine will be a huge opportunity for the Xavier transfer to climb up in the draft. The NBA Combine will host 73 players on May 10 through May 17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
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