Louisville basketball secured a historic commitment on New Year's Day, as Mikel Brown Jr. committed to Louisville. Brown is a unanimous five-star prospect with a score of 0.9969 according to 247Sports.
Mikel Brown Jr. has a thin frame, but has all the tools. He is a knockdown shooter, and can play some excellent defense. He continues to be one of the best recruits in the class of 2025, and his now NBA draft stock is rising already.
The future Cardinals star guard is ranked No. 6 overall by 247Sports, while ESPN and On3 have him ranked at No. 8, and Rivals has him ranked No. 10. The Mikel Brown Jr. hype is at an all-time high as the 5-star prospect now is already getting NBA recognition and is listed as a future NBA lottery pick.
Louisville basketball's 5-star commit is already getting NBA buzz
Earlier in the year, Jonathan Givony posted on X highlighting his mock draft for the 2026 NBA Draft, and the Louisville Cardinals' future star rounded out the top 10.
The future star point guard, Mikel Brown Jr., was projected to be picked No. 10 in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Debut 2026 NBA mock draft: Projecting the top 10 picks, with Darryn Peterson leading a loaded group up top.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 26, 2025
ESPN: https://t.co/d4UZYVQD8Q pic.twitter.com/oRYwR314d6
Mikel Brown Jr. would fit perfectly into the Philadelphia 76ers roster. The Cardinals point guard has the potential to be a perfect secondary option behind Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers health and depth is their major weakness every season, and adding Brown would be a match made in heaven.
Mikel Brown Jr. attends DME Academy in Orlando, Fla., and had an All-American season. The future Cardinal averaged 29.6 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 62.7% from the field and 61.5% from beyond the arc, per MaxPreps.
Brown would go on to play for Cold Hearts in the Overtime Elite, Team Loaded at the Adidas 3SSB circuit, and FIBA U18 AmeriCup last season.
He would average 13.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds during the regular season for Cold Hearts in the Overtime Elite. He also would step up his game during the postseason and average 15.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
When he played for Team Loaded at the Adidas 3SSB circuit over the summer, he popped off and averaged 23.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, solidifying his name as a future NBA star.
Finally he would play for Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, where would secure his first gold medal. Brown started in every game for Team USA in their gold medal run and averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
Brown will become Louisville basketball's first McDonald's All-American since Samuell Williamson back in 2022.