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Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. Wins Naismith National Player of the Week After Record-Setting Surge

A 45-point outburst followed by a two-way showcase at Baylor has thrust the freshman into draft conversations.

Overview

  • The award follows consecutive wins over NC State and Baylor in which Brown averaged 37 points on 59.5% shooting and 66.7% from three, with six rebounds, four assists and four steals per game.
  • Against NC State on Feb. 9, he set the ACC freshman single-game scoring record with 45 points and tied Louisville’s records for points and made 3-pointers with 10.
  • He posted 29 points at Baylor and led all players with six assists and a career-high five steals in the 82–71 victory.
  • Head coach Pat Kelsey praised Brown’s leadership, calling him the team’s on-court quarterback and primary voice in huddles.
  • Draft-focused outlets now frame him as a potential top guard in the 2026 NBA Draft, with fits like Dallas discussed as opinion-based projections following his recent surge.