Mikel Brown Jr. is emerging as the nation's favorite point guard entering the 2025-26 season after the 5-star phenom has been going viral the entire summer. The Cardinals' incoming freshman recently won his second gold medal in his young basketball career at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cups.
Brown dropped consecutive 24-point performances and led the team in points, assists, efficiency, and made 3-pointers during their time in Switzerland. While he was blatantly robbed of the MVP, the entire world quickly came to realize that Louisville basketball is getting an absolute stud next season.
Now, as we get closer and closer to the Cardinals' 2025-26 season, Brown continues to go viral, and this time it was for a photo of him standing next to one of the best players to play at the University of Louisville.
Related: Former Louisville basketball star sends legendary praise to Mikel Brown Jr.
Mikel Brown Jr. and Donovan Mitchell share a special moment
Brown was seen competing at Donovan Mitchell's basketball camp, and while he went viral for a monster slam over Villanova commit Acaden Lewis, he is also getting a lot of spotlight for a remarkable moment captured with Louisville legend and 6-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell.
Not only is this fantastic to see because it is quite possibly the best player to ever play at Louisville in Mitchell, and potentially the best incoming freshman in program history (per Mitchell himself), but when you look at this photo fans will quickly realize past the wholesome moment captured in the photo, that Brown is towering over Mitchell.
Mikel Brown Jr. standing next to Donovan Mitchell😳 pic.twitter.com/kh9N5ErcDH
— L1C4‼️ (@LORCARDS) July 28, 2025
Brown's No. 1 weakness entering college basketball was his size and frame. Well, the nation needs to see this photo and understand he is not a kid anymore, and he is growing. Austin Rivers stated his shoe size is a 14, and after looking at this photo, it wouldn't be surprising at all if the 18-year-old superstar still has an inch or two to grow into.
Brown was listed as 6-foot-3, 172 pounds when he committed to the Cardinals. Now, after looking at this photo, it is clear he is probably around 6-foot-5, as Mitchell is listed at 6-foot-3.
Louisville's incoming freshman is going to be special. He is poised to have a massive season for the Cardinals, and after watching all of these highlight clips from U19s, training camps, and practices, he is destined to be one of the best players in college basketball next season.
It is great to see Mitchell and Brown smile for a photo together and capture a special moment for Louisville basketball fans. However, the glorious silver lining of this photo is that Brown is still growing, and with the skills he possesses, he is going to dominate college basketball at 6-foot-5.
Related: Mikel Brown Jr. just solved his only weakness and is now an unstoppable monster
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.