Mikel Brown Jr. is emerging as one of the most anticipated incoming freshmen in college basketball. Louisville basketball's incoming 5-star point guard has been going viral all offseason for his gold medal run and offseason training.
Recently, former Louisville Cardinals legend and current NBA superstar Donovan Mitchell held his annual basketball camp for the best players, and Brown is going viral once again for his explosiveness and elite playmaking.
The Cardinals' backcourt is expected to be one of the best in the nation as Brown will be joined by Adrian Wooley, Ryan Conwell, and Isaac McKneely. Brown's dominant performances during the FIBA U19 World Cup and what he just displayed this past weekend not only prove that Pat Kelsey's squad is destined for a Final Four run, but that Brown has a legitimate shot at being one of the best players in college basketball next season.
Related: Former Louisville basketball star sends legendary praise to Mikel Brown Jr.
Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. is already turning heads before he plays a single game
The now 6-foot-5 point guard displayed tremendous explosiveness at Mitchell's camp and showed he has the strength, speed, and athleticism to dominate next season. Brown went viral for one clip, specifically when he played 1v1 basketball against a top-five point guard and a Villanova commit, Acaden Lewis.
Brown went to his left, took two powerful dribbles down the lane, and threw a monster of a tomahawk dunk over Lewis. Brown's athleticism is skyrocketing this offseason, accompanied by a growth of a few inches, as he now stands at 6-foot-5.
Incoming freshman Mikel Brown Jr. showed out at SPIDA Elite camp 👀
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) July 28, 2025
Mikel looks ready to have a HUGE season for the Louisville Cardinals 🔥 @MikelBrownJr1 pic.twitter.com/wrM28TCvqZ
He is ranked as high as the No. 1 point guard in the 2025 cycle and the sixth-best player in the recruiting class. He has proven this entire offseason why he is regarded as highly as he is and is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Brown is also seen in multiple clips showing off his shot creation and ability to score at an elite level. The 5-star guard is coming off screens, utilizing his lethal side step and creating just enough space to get his shot off over his defenders. The guard looks nearly unstoppable.
The ability to flip a switch and drive through the lane, tomahawk over defenders, or splash deep 3-pointers while executing contested side steps is what projects him to be one of the best players in the nation next season.
Brown is showcasing many skills this past weekend, but one that has become one of his favorites is his ability to hit defenders with a three-dribble combo. He attacks the rim with his first dribble, pulls back, then executes a hesitation dribble, and finishes with a step-back 3-pointer. He is doing this in multiple clips and all under control.
This incoming freshman is a type of talent Louisville hasn't had in a long time. He is going to be the team's leader, and if the Cardinals do make it to the Final Four it will be because Brown led them there.
The 18-year-old guard continues to prove this offseason that the hype is real. While everyone is waiting for it to translate to the real games of the 2025-26 season, Brown is showing everyone that they don't have to wait, and he is going to dominate.
Related: Louisville basketball’s Mikel Brown Jr. proves he’s the best PG in college basketball
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