One-and-done rumors skyrocket for Louisville basketball's 5-star phenom

The Louisville Cardinals' 5-star commitment will lead Louisville basketball from the 2025 cycle. Mikel Brown Jr has been practicing at Louisville this summer and is currently in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the Team USA Basketball U19 tryouts.

The 5-star commit is a historic one for Louisville, as he is the second-highest-rated commit in program history, according to 247Sports ratings. Brown is ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation and the best point guard in the cycle.

He has tremendous upside, and while he is determined to lead Louisville to their first National Title since 2013, it appears that he will only have one season to do it.

Related: The next big thing in College Basketball is heading to Louisville basketball

One-and-done rumors skyrocket for Louisville basketball's 5-star phenom

The Cardinals are going to be one of the best teams in the nation, and Brown's tryout performance is proving why. Pat Kelsey is emerging as one of the best recruiters in the nation, but his prized jewel was landing this elite 5-star point guard.

This commitment will position Louisville as a top-tier recruiting team, as he was the first domino to fall their way. Brown has already received NBA Draft buzz, with Jonathan Givony predicting the Cardinal to go at No. 10 overall.

Since that report, Louisville fans have been closely watching whether the Cardinals must acquire a replacement in the 2026 cycle or if there is a chance Brown stays for a couple of years to build his NBA Draft stock.

According to 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein, it was just reported that he believes Brown's tenure with Louisville will be short. The 5-star point guard is putting on one of the best performances at these tryouts, as many experts are nearly speechless with how well Brown is playing.

Related: Louisville basketball wastes no time offering potential Mikel Brown Jr. replacement

So, after Brown went on to become a finalist for the U19 team and had multiple jaw-dropping highlights, Louisville fans are beginning to assume he will be a one-and-done. One fan page even put out a poll, and out of 110 votes, 94.5 percent of the fans think he will be a one-and-done.

The Cardinals fans are excited for Brown and will support him better than any other program. That said, many experts are now reporting Brown as an NBA Lottery Draft pick, making it clear that Kelsey must land another 5-star point guard in the 2026 cycle after Brown declares for the NBA Draft.

Many assumed he would be a one-and-done, but after his thrilling performance, it is crystal clear he has his eyes set on the 2026 NBA Draft.

For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.