While the top three spots of the 2026 NBA Draft are locked up by Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa, Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. is considered one of the best prospects after those three. He is undoubtedly one of the best point guards in the class, particularly impressing as a shooter and playmaker. With the college basketball season fast approaching, it is time to provide a brief overview of Brown’s game. Let’s dive into a 2026 NBA Draft prospect preview of Mikel Brown Jr.
2026 NBA Draft Prospect Preview: Louisville Guard Mikel Brown Jr.
Areas Of Excellence
Excellent Shooting
One of the standout skills that Brown possesses is his excellent shooting ability. He can knock down shots from both the mid-range and perimeter. Brown shot an efficient 62% from three playing for DME in his senior year and 47.6% on six attempts with Team USA. Plus, he can fully extend his range to well beyond the arc. On the court, Brown demonstrated that he can shoot in a variety of situations. On the ball, Brown is extremely talented as a pull-up shooter from anywhere on the court. Off the ball, Brown excelled in a spot-up role, which he demonstrated during his play in the U19 FIBA World Cup.
Amazing Shot Creation
Alongside his ability to shoot the ball, Brown is extremely talented as a shot creator. Specifically, Brown is a skilled ball-handler who has excellent control of his own pace. He can usually control the flow of the game to his own liking and is rarely ever sped up. With his handle and craftiness, Brown can find seams in the defense where he can keep them off-balanced as he attacks. Additionally, Brown is an expert in using the pick-and-roll to find scoring opportunities for himself and others.
Talented Playmaking
To round out his offensive package, Brown’s skill as a playmaker can take his team’s offense to the next level. He has demonstrated himself to be a high-level passer who consistently puts his creativity and accuracy on full display. Brown can zip passes all around the court without issues and utilize the pick-and-roll to get his teammates great shots. Furthermore, he knows how to use his scoring gravity to draw in defenders and get passes to open teammates. All of this to say, Brown is an excellent playmaker who possesses great court vision, awareness, and accuracy.
Areas Of Concern And Development
Lack Of Strength
A clear area in which Brown must develop is the lack of strength in his frame. That area of concern can be felt on both ends of the floor, as bigger and stronger players can take advantage of him. Getting stronger is paramount in developing the other parts of his game that are listed below.
Finishing Struggles
Another area that Brown noticeably struggles in is his finishing. While he doesn’t shy away from contact, he can get bumped off course by stronger players, and length can bother his shots. Plus, Brown isn’t the most explosive player when going to the basket. While he does struggle to finish at the rim, Brown is solid at drawing fouls. If he can enhance his interior finishing, his overall scoring package would be vastly improved.
Underwhelming Defense
On the other end of the floor, Brown’s defense is a work in progress. To be fair, Brown did show better effort and improvement during the U19 FIBA World Cup, but he still needs to prove that during the college season. His lack of strength also affected his defense as he tended to struggle against contact. Stronger players can brush him aside, especially when he is guarding on the ball. Brown is solid at anticipating passes while defending off the ball. However, getting stronger and continuing his summer improvements is a must for Brown to take his defense to another level.
The Last Word
Overall, Brown is one of the best point guards in the upcoming draft despite coming up short compared to Peterson, Boozer, and Dybantsa. Unquestionably, he possesses an excellent offensive game that makes him a talented scorer and floor general out on the court. Brown does have key areas in which he needs to develop, specifically his finishing and defense. Regardless, the Louisville guard already has the tools he needs to be a great quarterback of a team’s offense. Brown and the rest of the talented Cardinals will be a team to watch for once the college season starts.
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