From film sessions to record-breaking performances, a two-time NBA champion’s mentorship transformed Mikel Brown Jr.’s freshman slump into a historic run that caught the Brooklyn Nets' attention.
Mikel Brown Jr. had a stellar freshman season at Louisville despite a back injury, and NBA legend Rajon Rondo guided the Brooklyn Nets rookie.
Rondo, a Kentucky native, would often invite the former Cardinal to his house. Brown said he picked the 16-year veteran's mind as they watched film together, and his advice was simple.
"Just keep it simple, and I promise you, you're going to make the right play every single time," Brown recalled in his appearance on the Cousins podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
That wisdom served as a stable pillar for the standout freshman when he returned from an eight-game absence in January. He had a shaky five-game stretch, scoring as much as 20 points and as low as six.
His performance against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Feb. 7 was the breaking point. Brown shot an abysmal 2-for-10 from the field, scoring 12 points, but dished out eight assists.
He visited Rondo that night to vent, as doubt crept into his mind. Louisville's star was still dealing with his back injury and believed he wasn't playing up to his expectations. The two-time champion reassured his disciple, echoing the same advice he gave throughout the year.
Two games later, Brown dropped a career-high against the NC State Wolfpack.
The 6-foot-5 guard scored 45 points on 14-for-23 shooting, including 10-for-16 from deep. He tied Wes Unseld for a school record in points and Reyne Smith for three-pointers made in a single game.
Brown followed his career-high performance with back-to-back 29-point games against Baylor (Feb. 14) and Southern Methodist (Feb. 17). The momentum was rolling at the perfect time before the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.
It all came crashing down in the worst scenario against No. 18 North Carolina on Feb. 23.
He re-aggravated his back injury, which ended his freshman campaign. That lingering injury raised red flags to NBA scouts during the draft combine, but he was cleared by doctors in May.
Leading up to the draft, it became clear Brooklyn was significantly interested in the Louisville guard. General manager Sean Marks and coach Jordi Fernández were learning more about their potential prospect and how he'd fit with the roster.
Many reports argued Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. would be the Nets' choice with the sixth overall pick, all in an effort to tempt the Sacramento Kings into trading up. Marks ultimately went with the player he built a relationship with, selecting Brown to lead the team in its next era.
Brooklyn's lottery pick had an impressive summer league, averaging 16.7 points across three games. Summer league coach Dutch Gaitley challenged his rookie to play within the offense alongside second-year guard Egor Dëmin and make high-level plays defensively.
He rose to the challenge, and next season, he could contribute to a winning season. Brown's success is a testament to his hard work, but he gives Rondo all the credit for being such a great mentor in college.
