Mikel Brown Jr. was just selected No. 6 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, marking the first Cardinal selected in the first round since Donovan Mitchell in the 2017 draft. Not only did he snap that drought, but he was also the first Cardinal selected in the top 10 since 1996 and the first Cardinal selected in the top six since the 1990 NBA Draft.
Mikel Brown Jr. just ended Louisville basketball's 36-year NBA Draft drought
While many Louisville fans are happy Brown snapped this drought and was selected so high in the NBA Draft, it is hard not to think about that "what if?"
Brown was one of the top point guards in college basketball when he was healthy, and his selection at No. 6 overall proves that. He slid up in the draft, and that proves how talented the 5-star really is.
And with Brown stock rising and him going No. 6 overall, the Cardinals fans were painfully reminded of what could have been if Brown had never gotten hurt.
Mikel Brown Jr. just reminded Louisville fans how good he really is
Louisville entered this past season with the sixth-best odds of winning the National Title, and a large part of that was Brown. The former 5-star guard was coming off an eye-popping gold medal run with Team USA, where many thought he was the best player, leading the team in points, assists, efficiency, and 3-pointers.
However, he injured his back multiple times this past season, and on draft night, he revealed it hurt so bad he could hardly even get out of bed. Brown went on to miss 14 total games, including the entire ACC Tournament and the entire NCAA Tournament.
But now, with Brown being No. 6 overall and the second point guard selected, it proves he was truly one of the best college basketball players this past season when he was healthy. He has the potential and the skill; unfortunately, he wasn't healthy.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound guard averaged over 18 points and four assists per game. He is crazy explosive with limitless range, and if he were healthy for the Cardinals' season, it could have been a very special year. Yes, Louisville had frontcourt and physicality issues, but Brown proved multiple times this season he could put the team on his back and lead them to victory.
Brown was trending around the No. 7-10 range before the combine, but once he got healthier and worked out with these NBA teams, everyone was reporting his draft stock was rising because he was crushing these workouts. Now, he was just the second point guard drafted and the sixth overall pick, proving he has the skill and the potential that Louisville was craving this past year.
It stinks for Louisville fans that their best player since Donovan Mitchell wasn't healthy, but there is nothing anyone can do. Brown is a generational talent, and his selection No. 6 overall after missing 14 games proves it.
Also read:Â Pat Kelsey gives NBA teams a reason to think twice about passing on Mikel Brown Jr.
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
Add us as a preferred source on Google