One of the scariest things for any NBA hopefully is getting injured in college hoops. Coming down with a big injury during the season can hit draft stock hard.
But, thankfully, that’s just not the case with Louisville point guard Mikel Brown Jr. Even though Brown suffered a back injury during the season, he’s still considered one of the top 10 players in the draft. However, because he couldn’t show off his stuff on the court, his performance at the NBA Combine is shaping up to be crucial to show scouts what he can deliver.
Now that the deadline to declare for the 2026 NBA draft passed, 71 college players have officially submitted their applications, it’s a good time to look at the upcoming draft class and their star players.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has released his latest mock, and he has Brown going to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 8.
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“The Mavericks have a long-term need at the point and will be hoping to find a running mate for Cooper Flagg, as they won’t control their own first again until 2031,” he says in the piece. “Brown would be the biggest upside swing left on the board if available here, but also comes with a little more risk in his profile than some alternatives.”
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What Makes Mikel Brown Jr. a Strong Draft Candidate
Brown is a good fit for the Mavericks and, in general, any NBA team due to his size, ability to shoot and playmaking talents, but he does need a solid pre-draft showing to stay around the No. 8 overall selection or climb. This draft class has a lot of guards, and that makes it more difficult for him to climb up the ladder. That said, NBA scouts are optimistic about Brown’s long-term abilities, so it would be a surprise to see him go late in the draft.
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