Mikel Brown is looking like he may be one of the best guards in college basketball
It took just three quarters in Tuesday’s U16 FIBA World Cup group stage game against Cameroon for Mikel Brown Jr. to put in a day’s work.
And that’s all Team USA needed from him as they pulled out a dominant 129-70 win to finish the group stage with a 3-0 record.
Brown, who may be one of the biggest risers over this past spring and early summer amongst incoming freshmen, was nearly perfect offensively, scoring 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, going 5-of-6 from beyond-the-arc, and dishing out eight assists in just 19 minutes. Through the three group stage games, the 6-foot-2 rising freshman leads the USA in points per game (19.3), efficiency per game (21.3), assists (6.3), and has only turned it over on average 2.3 times throughout the event.
Brown isn’t just playing against some of the best competition his age the world has to offer at the World Cup in Switzerland; he’s dominating. The Cardinals’ future point guard has shot 54.1 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3 in his first three games. Looking like he’ll be one of the best freshmen in America next year, he’s been in complete control, leading the states to three double-digit wins.
What’s been most impressive about Brown in this three-game run has been his composure in his role on both ends, and he has executed the pick and roll as a ball handler to near perfection.
At all times, Brown has been one of the best players on the floor. He’s found the tight passing windows, hitting the roll man with ease, and made headsup decisions on when and when not to attack the basket. At times, he’s even used his length to make an impact on the defensive end.
Against Cameroon, after inbounding the basketball in the second quarter, Brown used a quick first step to cut on a straight line towards the basket on a give and go, where it only took him one dribble to land a one-handed jam. You don’t see many 19-year-olds making that kind of play. In Tuesday’s win, Brown had everything on display. He was shooting on the move, getting into the lane for midrange jumpers, and handling the ball with direction and ease.
He’s deadly from anywhere on the floor off the catch and has continued to improve his shotmaking and quick trigger off the dribble. The Orlando, Florida, native has developed a keen ability to start and stop, be herky-jerky in the lane, and get to his spots in the lane and midrange. The amount of elevation he gets on his jumpers and soft touch due to lanky arms gives him a chance to make these kinds of shots consistently at just 6-foot-2.
Strength has been the question for Brown ahead of his freshman season. Would he be able to compete at the college level from a physical standpoint? Well, we’re seeing a new level of the attack mentality in Brown this summer, as well as maturity in the way he carries himself. He won’t get punked.
Brown’s frame has already improved immensely in the past year; he’s added muscle, and athletically, he has progressed to the point where being wiry has benefited his jumper and creativity around the rim. There are shades of Tyrese Haliburton in Brown’s game. Brown may never be a bruising, downhill point guard, but more of a floor general.
Brown also recently revealed in an interview with On3’s Jamie Shaw that he had watched film on each of his Louisville teammates before arriving for workouts this summer. He’s emphasized being a leader on the floor, understanding his teammates, and putting them in the right places on the floor to succeed.
Not being afraid of the moment, Brown is a gifted playmaker and, as Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey put it, a “generational talent.” The true freshman will be in NBA lottery talks heading into the fall as the second-highest rated recruit in program history.
The expectations are high, and the vibes are anticipatory in the 502 right now, as Louisville basketball’s second season under Kelsey will be one of the best storylines in the nation. Louisville was propelled by its star point guard last season in Chucky Hepburn, and in 2025-26, the Cards may go as far as Mikel Brown is willing to take them.
Brown’s red, white, and blue will face Jordan in the Round of 16 tomorrow, July 2, at 11:15 AM EST.
