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5-Star PG Mikel Brown Jr. Commits to Louisville over Kentucky, Indiana, More

Zach Bachar

Point guard Mikel Brown Jr. committed to Louisville on Wednesday, according to Joe Tipton of On3.com.

Brown is a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class and is ranked as the No. 1 point guard and No. 10 overall player, per 247Sports' Composite list.

He received offers from a variety of schools including Kentucky, Indiana, UCF, Ole Miss, Florida and Texas before making the decision to join head coach Pat Kelsey's program.

Kelsey was hired by the university in March 2024 following an impressive run at the College of Charleston, finishing with a 75-27 record in three years with the team. Brown noted the past success of the coaching staff when previously discussing Louisville.

"That coaching staff was great last year," Brown said, via Tipton. "I think they were one of the best, if not the best, mid-major last year in college basketball. So they're definitely an underdog and I think they're going to have a really good team this year, considering them going into the transfer portal. I think their roster is really great. The coaching staff has been great. They've been preaching to me that the ball is going to be in my hands."

"I would be making the plays and would have a big impact coming into the season next year," he added.

Brown previously attended the Overtime Elite program and averaged 13.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game during the 2023-24 season.

247Sports' Adam Finkelstein highlighted the guard's exceptional passing ability in his scouting report.

"He has total control of his handle, as both a creator and distributor, and a terrific left hand," Finkelstein wrote. "He's a talented passer with excellent floor vision and capable of hitting all corners of the court. He can throw pinpoint crosscourt skip passes with both hands, zip in pocket passes off the dribble, and make all the other associated pick-and-roll reads with good timing."

The Cardinals are currently off to a modest 8-5 start in their first year under Kelsey and they've won three of their past four games.

Even if Louisville can't maintain its recent strong play, the team will be receiving a major backcourt boost prior to its 2025-26 campaign.

   

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