This Louisville freshman will make a case for ACC POY next year

At this time last year there was something of hope and desperation in the air at Louisville. The Cardinals were coming off two really rough seasons under Kenny Payne, but the program had turned in a new direction by hiring Pat Kelsey last March. Those first few months saw Kelsey and his new staff build the roster together, largely using the transfer portal, and the result was a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. With a full season of recruiting and coaching under their belt, someone even more impressive is coming to town.

Mikel Brown Jr. is a 6-3 point guard out of Daytona Beach, Florida who committed to Kelsey and the Cardinals right at the beginning of 2025. Different sites and recruiting experts have varied opinions and rankings but Brown is a consensus 5-star recruit whose reputation is only rising as we get closer to the beginning of his collegiate career.

He’s a skilled and athletic backcourt phenom who’s grown a few inches in recent years and has become something of a lethal shooter. That brilliance was just on display in U19 play, as Brown led Team USA’s charge with a 24-point performance, including six 3-pointers in the dominant win. He’s coming into the college game already with a reputation as a lights-out sharpshooter who can also run the offense and be a facilitator.

Considered one of the top prospects in the nation, Brown certainly looks like someone who’ll be rising on 2026 NBA Draft boards, but let’s not skip ahead quite yet. Right now, he’s joining a Cardinals team replacing a lot of pieces from last season’s revival. He’ll step right into a massive role at the point, replacing the production from Chucky Hepburn and others, but from what we’ve seen it’s definitely an upgrade for Louisville.

There’s always something of an adjustment period getting into the college game, but even in international play, Brown has shown few signs of trouble. He’s still growing into his body and may need to build more strength as a freshman, but he’s an elite athlete who can read the floor, shoot the cover off the ball, and ensure that Louisville’s offense is successful.

With names like Cooper Flagg and R. J. Davis gone from the ACC, why can’t a new weapon like Brown become the ACC’s top player? If Louisville is a legitimate contender again in this conference, then Brown is playing a major role for the Cardinals. Kelsey got himself a fantastic presence who should do wonders for these Cardinals while also making players like Ryan Conwell and J’Vonne Hadley better around him. Keep an eye out for Louisville.