Mikel Brown Jr. gave Nets fans another reason to be excited during his recent appearance on the Nets Pod, opening up about his bond with Egor Demin, Jordi Fernández's impact and the mindset that's already making him look like a future leader in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Nets drafted Mikel Brown Jr. because they believe he can become one of the faces of the franchise. After listening to the rookie speak on the latest edition of the Nets Pod with Sarah Kustok, it's just as easy to see why they're excited about the person as they are about the player.
Brown covered plenty of ground during the conversation, discussing his first few weeks in Brooklyn, his chemistry with fellow rookie Egor Demin, what he's trying to improve on the court, and even some hobbies that fans probably wouldn't expect from a 19-year-old NBA player.
If there was one theme throughout the interview, it was how quickly Brown already feels at home.
A little over a month removed from draft night, he admitted everything still feels surreal, especially getting the opportunity to play in Summer League after spending years watching it from afar.
"Just enjoying the time with the fellas," Brown said. "Bonding with them on and off the court... To be able to say that I'm playing in it is surreal."
It was the answer of someone still appreciating the moment, but there was also a quiet confidence in the way he spoke. Rather than dwelling on finally making the NBA, Brown already seems focused on what's next.
Although he entered the draft known primarily for his scoring ability, Brown believes another part of his game deserves more attention.
"I'll probably say my passing," Brown said when asked what's most underrated about his game.
Rather than talking about flashy assists, Brown explained that playing point guard is about understanding teammates' tendencies, where they like the ball, where they're most comfortable shooting, and how to put everyone else in the best position to succeed. It wasn't the answer of someone obsessed with putting up numbers. It sounded more like someone already thinking about how to run an NBA offense.
That mindset carried over when the conversation shifted to Demin.
"That's my dog," Brown said. "Me and him are kind of the young guns coming up... My job is to make life easier on him, and his job is to make life easier on me."
Nets fans have already embraced the idea of Brown and Demin growing together, and judging by Brown's comments, they're approaching the partnership the same way. Neither seems interested in who gets the spotlight. They're focused on helping each other improve.
Brown also had nothing but positive things to say about head coach Jordi Fernández and the culture he's trying to build in Brooklyn.
He described Fernández as "a player's coach" and said the two share the same expectations, particularly on the defensive end, where the rookie admitted he's already being pushed to improve. Brown even shared a story about running into Fernández in an elevator before practice, saying the two couldn't wait to get back on the court.
"It's like a family," Brown said. "I can't wait to play for him this year."
Basketball wasn't the only topic, though.
Brown offered a glimpse into who he is away from the court, talking about growing up fishing with his grandfather in Florida, revealing he's much more comfortable on freshwater than in the ocean. He also enjoys sketching during his downtime, learned how to cook because his mother insisted he become more independent, and even laughed about playing the tuba back in sixth grade.
If basketball isn't on his mind, chances are music is.
Brown didn't hesitate when naming Michael Jackson as his favorite artist, insisting nobody belongs in the same conversation. He credited his parents for introducing him to Jackson's music growing up and joked that one of his life goals is learning the King of Pop's iconic dance moves. Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Drake also made his regular rotation depending on the day.
The most revealing answer of the interview came near the end when Brown was asked what advice he'd give younger players chasing the same dream.
Instead of talking about rankings or scholarships, he stressed professionalism, staying humble and trusting the work.
"They're going to find you," Brown said. "As long as you continue to stay in the gym, stay hungry, stay grinding, stay humble, remain a good guy."
That answer fit everything else he had talked about over the previous 20 minutes. Whether he was discussing learning teammates' tendencies, building a relationship with Fernández or giving back through his AAU program, Brown never sounded like someone trying to say all the right things. He simply came across as thoughtful, grounded and comfortable being himself.
The reaction from Nets fans reflected that impression. Many praised how mature and personable Brown appeared, while others pointed to his friendship with Demin as another reason to be optimistic about Brooklyn's future. One fan even wrote that they had never been more excited about a Nets rookie.
Summer League already gave Nets fans a glimpse of Brown's talent. This interview offered a glimpse of everything else. If he carries that same approach into his rookie season, it's easy to understand why Brooklyn believes it found more than just another lottery pick.
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