The Brooklyn Nets secure an explosive playmaker to bolster their young core, pairing the high-scoring Louisville guard with Egor Demin to create a dynamic, modern backcourt.
The Brooklyn Nets opened up their 2026 NBA Draft class by selecting Louisville point guard Mikel Brown Jr., who had become one of the leading prospects leading up to the first round.
This was my final projection from earlier today, as Brooklyn had visited Brown multiple times throughout the pre-draft process.`
Multiple highly touted guard prospects would have fit for the Nets, but the front office has seemingly landed their top guy.
I love Brown's fit alongside Egor Demin, who prefers to play as a playmaker and get downhill.
Brown can also create for his teammates, making him a great compliment next to Michael Porter Jr. and newly acquired Julius Randle on the wings.
Draft Grade: A
Despite missing some of his freshman season due to injury, Brown shined, averaging 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
Brown excels on the ball, exploding to the rim with a quick first step. Once he gets to the basket, Brown can extend over longer defenders or make a secondary move mid-air.
Outside of Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Brown is definitely the best all-around scoring prospect of the four top guards taken, shooting a high level from 3-point range.
Brown knocked down just 34.4-percent of his attempts from distance, but is a much better shooter than that number suggests.
In a 40-point blowout win over ACC-rival NC State, Brown tied a program-record with 45 points, shooting over 60-percent from the field and 3-point range.
Brown seemingly couldn't miss from deep, knocking down 10-of-16 long balls and knocking down all seven of his free throws.
His 45-point outburst tied Wes Unseld’s single-game scoring record in Louisville history.
Following Illinois point guard Keaton Wagler landing with the Los Angeles Clippers, the opportunity arose for the Nets to close in on Brown, who was going to be taken no later than No. 6.
With head coach Jordi Fernández resigned, Brown will need to get comfortable with the young bench boss, which should be no problem, according to him.
“Talking constantly with Mr. Marks and Coach Jordi (Fernández),” Brown Jr. told Clutch Points’ Erik Slater this past Monday. “The biggest thing [Marks] emphasized if I get selected there is building that relationship with Jordi. You gotta have a great connection there. So to be able to pick his brain on a lot of things and learn his system and come in and make an impact right away was big.”
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