Note #055: Mikel Brown Jr. (Lead Guard Gravity)
Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. appeared in 21 games as a freshman in 2025-26 before moving on to the 2026 NBA Draft, where he went 6th overall to the Brooklyn Nets.
Although a shortened season with the Cardinals, Brown Jr. still flashed his first round talent (in 29.2 MP/G):
- 18.2 PPG
- 4.7 APG
- 3.3 RPG
- 1.2 SPG
Twelve freshmen since 1947-48 join Brown Jr. in averaging 18+ PPG, 4.5+ APG, 3+ RPG, 1+ SPG (min. 20 GP):
18-20 PPG
1. Dennis Smith Jr. (2016-17) - 18.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG (32 GP, 34.8 MP/G)
2. Jahii Carson (2012-13) - 18.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 SPG (35 GP, 37.2 MP/G)
3. Stephon Marbury (1995-96) - 18.9 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.8 SPG (36 GP, 37.4 MP/G)
4. Ben Simmons (2015-16) - 19.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 11.8 RPG!, 2.0 SPG (33 GP, 34.9 MP/G)
5. D'Angelo Russell (2014-15) - 19.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG (35 GP, 33.9 MP/G)
20-21 PPG
6. Allen Iverson (1994-95) - 20.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.3 RPG, 3.0 SPG! (30 GP, 32.2 MP/G)
7. Darrion Trammell (2020-21) - 20.5 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG (23 GP, 35.8 MP/G)
8. Kenny Anderson (1989-90) - 20.6 PPG, 8.1 APG, 5.5 RPG, 2.3 SPG (35 GP, 37.7 MP/G)
21-24 PPG
9. Danny Ainge (1977-78) - 21.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG (30 GP, 38.0 MP/G)
10. Markelle Fultz (2016-17) - 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG (25 GP, 35.7 MP/G)
11. R.J. Cole (2017-18) - 23.7 PPG, 6.1 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG (33 GP, 37.9 MP/G)
24+ PPG
12. Trae Young (2017-18) - 27.4 PPG!, 8.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG (32 GP, 35.4 MP/G)
Marbury and Anderson both played at Georgia Tech in their respective seasons.
DSJ is on display in Notes:
#008 (Acaden Lewis) / #039 (Kingston Flemings) / #049 (Labaron Philon)
Carson collaborated with in Alex Wilkins in Note #010.
Marbury is also in the Wilkins Note, but debuted in Note #003 on potential 2026 top 5 pick Keaton Wagler.
Don't miss D'Angelo in Wilkins or Flemings, or Note #047 on Brayden Burries.
AI is taking over:
Note #021 (Robert Wright III) / Note #040 (Ebuka Okorie) / Note #053 (Nate Ament)
Finally, Ainge answers the call in Lewis, Wilkins, and Flemings.
Okay, if we institute a 29.5 MP/G ceiling, and look at all classes, just five others besides Brown Jr. met the above criteria (Mikel is the only freshman!):
18-19 PPG
1. Thomas Walkup (2015-16) - 18.1 PPG, 4.5 APG, 6.9 RPG, 2.1 SPG (34 GP, 29.5 MP/G)
2. Russ Smith (2013-14) - 18.2 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.3 RPG, 2.0 SPG (37 GP, 29.3 MP/G)
3. Enoch Simmons (1988-89) - 18.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 SPG (30 GP, 29.4 MP/G)
19-20 PPG
4. Jawun Evans (2016-17) - 19.2 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG (32 GP, 29.3 MP/G)
20+ PPG
5. Desmond Cambridge (2001-02) - 20.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.6 RPG, 5.5 SPG!? (29 GP, 29.5 MP/G)
Smith, like Brown Jr., played for Louisville.
Now, for fun, if we remove the MP/G threshold, here are the four sophomores in 2025-26 to qualify (Brown Jr. was the only frosh again):
1. Robert Wright III - 18.1 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG (35 GP, 34.8 MP/G)
2. Christian Anderson - 18.5 PPG, 7.4 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.5 SPG (33 GP, 38.4 MP/G)
3. Tyler Tanner - 19.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.6 RPG, 2.4 SPG (36 GP, 33.5 MP/G)
4. Labaron Philon - 22.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG (33 GP, 30.9 MP/G)
Anderson (19th overall) and Philon (22nd), like Brown Jr. (6th), all heard their names called in the first round at the 2026 NBA Draft.
Here are the seven 2025-26 juniors and seniors to qualify as well (min. 20 GP):
Juniors
1. Kevin "Boopie" Miller - 19.1 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG (33 GP, 35.3 MP/G)
2. Baraka Okojie - 19.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG (31 GP, 34.1 MP/G)
3. Colby Garland - 20.3 PPG, 4.6 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG (29 GP, 35.1 MP/G)
Seniors
1. Jaylin Henderson - 18.2 PPG, 5.8 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG (31 GP, 37.3 MP/G)
2. Javontae Campbell - 18.7 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.5 RPG, 3.0 SPG (32 GP, 34.1 MP/G)
3. Chaze Harris - 19.2 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG (33 GP, 31.8 MP/G)
4. Cruz Davis - 20.1 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG (35 GP, 37.9 MP/G)
Next, let's convert to per 40 for Brown Jr.:
- 24.9 PTS/40 MP
- 6.5 AST/40 MP
- 4.6 TRB/40 MP
- 1.7 STL/40 MP
Besides Brown Jr. and Fultz, only one other freshman since 1947-48 has reached 24.5+ PTS/40 MP, 6.5+ AST/40 MP, 4.5+ TRB/40 MP, 1.5+ STL/40 MP (min. 20 GP, 5 MP/G):
Rob Dillingham (2023-24) - 26.1 PTS/40 MP, 6.6 AST/40 MP, 5.0 TRB/40 MP, 1.8 STL/40 MP (32 GP, 23.3 MP/G)
And besides Evans and Philon from above, here are the other four sophomores to hit those marks (stats below are per 40):
1. Cameron Payne (2014-15) - 25.1 PTS, 7.4 AST, 4.6 TRB, 2.4 STL (35 GP, 32.2 MP/G)
2. Ja Morant (2018-19) - 26.8 PTS, 11.0 AST, 6.2 TRB, 1.9 STL (33 GP, 36.6 MP/G)
3. Terrell Lowery (1989-90) - 29.1 PTS, 12.7 AST, 5.3 TRB, 4.0 STL (32 GP, 19.9 MP/G)
4. Rodney Stuckey (2006-07) - 29.5 PTS, 6.6 AST, 5.6 TRB, 2.9 STL (29 GP, 33.3 MP/G)
Payne and Morant both played for Murray State.
Miller and Davis debut in Note #030 on minutes king Christian Bliss.
Henderson's also hardcoded into the Bliss Note, and the Flemings Note.
Harris holds court in:
Note #045 (Otega Oweh) / Note #048 (Rafael Castro) / Note #050 (Ryan Conwell)
Lowery's linked in the following:
Note #028 (Christian Anderson) / Note #045 (Otega Oweh) / Note #046 (Quadir Copeland)
57/113 2P/2PA (50.4 2P%), 55/160 3P/3PA (34.4 3P%), 103/122 FT/FTA (84.4 FT%)
Four NCAA DI men's players, besides Brown Jr., have shot 50+ 2P% (min. 110 2PA), 34+ 3P% (min. 160 3PA), 84+ FT% (min. 120 FTA) in their freshman season:
Sorted by FGA (ascending)
1. Mikey Dixon (2016-17) - 111/215 2P/2PA (51.6%), 60/162 3P/3PA (37.0%), 110/128 FT/FTA (85.9%)
2. Kon Knueppel (2024-25) - 97/171 2P/2PA (56.7%), 84/207 3P/3PA (40.6%), 117/128 FT/FTA (91.4%!)
3. Ben McLemore (2012-13) - 125/226 2P/2PA (55.3%), 73/174 3P/3PA (42.0%), 120/138 FT/FTA (87.0%)
4. Stephen Curry (2006-07) - 120/224 2P/2PA (53.6%), 122/299 3P/3PA (40.8%), 124/145 FT/FTA (85.5%)
Here are the non-freshmen in 2025-26 to meet those benchmarks:
Sophomores
1. Terrence Hill Jr. - 91/150 2P/2PA (60.7%), 81/219 3P/3PA (37.0%), 114/135 FT/FTA (84.4%)
2. Hamad Mousa - 110/212 2P/2PA (51.9%), 84/226 3P/3PA (37.2%), 180/205 FT/FTA (87.8%)
3. Tyler Tanner - 168/307 2P/2PA (54.7%), 60/163 3P/3PA (36.8%), 186/218 FT/FTA (85.3%)
Juniors
1. Finley Bizjack - 95/188 2P/2PA (50.5%), 68/195 3P/3PA (34.9%), 136/160 FT/FTA (85.0%)
2. Michael James - 158/308 2P/2PA (51.3%), 82/241 3P/3PA (34.0%), 123/136 FT/FTA (90.4%)
Seniors
1. Chad Baker-Mazara - 89/178 2P/2PA (50.0%), 61/160 3P/3PA (38.1%), 119/133 FT/FTA (89.5%)
2. Anthony Roy - 67/133 2P/2PA (50.4%), 90/231 3P/3PA (39.0%), 120/140 FT/FTA (85.7%)
3. Miles Barnstable - 67/111 2P/2PA (60.4%), 103/254 3P/3PA (40.6%), 110/124 FT/FTA (88.7%)
4. Travis Harper II - 104/186 2P/2PA (55.9%), 81/207 3P/3PA (39.1%), 114/133 FT/FTA (85.7%)
5. Jaylin Sellers - 120/237 2P/2PA (50.6%), 79/184 3P/3PA (42.9%), 128/149 FT/FTA (85.9%)
6. Kamrin Oriol - 129/229 2P/2PA (56.3%), 98/244 3P/3PA (40.2%), 118/133 FT/FTA (88.7%)
7. Lamar Wilkerson - 123/215 2P/2PA (57.2%), 104/275 3P/3PA (37.8%), 111/125 FT/FTA (88.8%)
8. Tavari Johnson - 178/299 2P/2PA (59.5%), 75/201 3P/3PA (37.3%), 107/123 FT/FTA (87.0%)
9. Bennett Stirtz - 159/269 2P/2PA (59.1%), 92/257 3P/3PA (35.8%), 140/165 FT/FTA (84.8%)
McLemore can't be held:
Note #043 (Darryn Peterson) / Note #049 (Labaron Philon)
Look for Johnson in Note #050 on Ryan Conwell's college circuit.
Stirtz just works:
Note #030 (Christian Bliss) / Note #045 (Otega Oweh) / Note #050 (Conwell)
Anyway, let's continue the shooting discussion from the previous section: if we remove 2P (50+%, min. 110 2PA) from the equation, 12 other freshmen besides the five (Brown Jr., Dixon, Knueppel, McLemore, Curry) above met the 3P (34+%, min. 160 3PA) and FT (84+%, min. 120 FTA) minimums:
160-200 3PA
1. Latif Rivers (2010-11) - 56/162 3P/3PA (34.6%), 122/137 FT/FTA (89.1%)
2. Jon Scheyer (2006-07) - 61/167 3P/3PA (36.5%), 115/136 FT/FTA (84.6%)
3. Matt O'Brien (1989-90) - 68/176 3P/3PA (38.6%), 113/129 FT/FTA (87.6%)
4. Karon Abraham (2009-10) - 85/192 3P/3PA (44.3%), 126/148 FT/FTA (85.1%)
200-300 3PA
5. Chris Thomas (2001-02) - 76/206 3P/3PA (36.9%), 120/135 FT/FTA (88.9%)
6. Jared Brownridge (2013-14) - 95/218 3P/3PA (43.6%), 106/123 FT/FTA (86.2%)
7. Tre Johnson (2024-25) - 89/224 3P/3PA (39.7%), 121/139 FT/FTA (87.1%)
8. Brandon Miller (2022-23) - 106/276 3P/3PA (38.4%), 146/170 FT/FTA (85.9%)
9. Keydren Clark (2002-03) - 109/278 3P/3PA (39.2%), 151/177 FT/FTA (85.3%)
300+ 3PA
10. Josh Hubbard (2023-24) - 108/304 3P/3PA (35.5%), 122/143 FT/FTA (85.3%)
11. Trae Young (2017-18) - 118/328 3P/3PA (36.0%), 236/274 FT/FTA! (86.1%)
12. Antoine Davis (2018-19) - 132/347 3P/3PA (38.0%), 126/147 FT/FTA (85.7%)
Scheyer, now the head coach at Duke, accomplished the above playing for the Blue Devils, like Knueppel.
Now if we swap 3s for 2s, these 17 freshmen (again besides the five noted earlier, which includes Brown Jr.) hit the 2P and FT baselines:
110-200 2PA
1. Joe Cremo (2015-16) - 89/162 2P/2PA (54.9%), 110/128 FT/FTA (85.9%)
2. Kasparas Jakucionis (2024-25) - 95/169 2P/2PA (56.2%), 142/168 FT/FTA (84.5%)
3. LaBradford Smith (1987-88) - 108/185 2P/2PA (58.4%), 143/158 FT/FTA (90.5%)
4. Chris Paul (2003-04) - 95/186 2P/2PA (51.1%), 150/178 FT/FTA (84.3%)
5. Tyler Haws (2009-10) - 106/195 2P/2PA (54.4%), 110/120 FT/FTA (91.7%)
200-225 2PA
6. Marvin Williams (2004-05) - 106/203 2P/2PA (52.2%), 138/163 FT/FTA (84.7%)
7. Jordan Adams (2012-13) - 119/219 2P/2PA (54.3%), 129/153 FT/FTA (84.3%)
8. Jackson Paveletzke (2002-23) - 121/222 2P/2PA (54.5%), 117/139 FT/FTA (84.2%)
225-250 2PA
9. Keith Waleskowski (2000-01) - 128/228 2P/2PA (56.1%), 129/153 FT/FTA (84.3%)
10. Chance Gladden (2025-26) - 124/234 2P/2PA (53.0%), 124/143 FT/FTA (86.7%)
11. Tony Bennett (1988-89) - 132/236 2P/2PA (55.9%), 111/131 FT/FTA (84.7%)
12. Javion Hamlet (2019-20) - 125/245 2P/2PA (51.0%), 124/142 FT/FTA (87.3%)
13. Jayson Tatum (2016-17) - 125/248 2P/2PA (50.4%), 118/139 FT/FTA (84.9%)
250-300 2PA
14. Jeremiah Fears (2024-25) - 142/281 2P/2PA (50.5%), 183/215 FT/FTA (85.1%)
15. Steve Alford (1983-84) - 171/289 2P/2PA (59.2%), 137/150 FT/FTA (91.3%)
300+ 2PA
16. Kingston Flemings (2025-26) - 181/360 2P/2PA (50.3%), 109/129 FT/FTA (84.5%)
17. Cooper Flagg (2024-25) - 187/362 2P/2PA (51.7%), 179/213 FT/FTA (84.0%)
This Smith, like Russ in the first section, also played for Louisville (like Brown Jr.).
Also, more of those devilish Dukies (Flagg, Tatum).
And Flemings (8th), like Brown Jr. (6th), went top 10 in the 2026 NBA Draft.
We hark back to Clark in Note #003 on Keaton Wagler, and Note #047 on Brayden Burries.
Davis also debuted in the Wagler Note, and digs in to Note #006 on flamethrower Jake Hall too.
Haws heats up in Note #045 on Otega Oweh and Note #054 on Nick Martinelli, both potential 2026 second round picks.
We're happy to see Gladden again: Note #025 (Elijah Crawford).
Anyway, if you weren't sure before, Brown Jr. was on an all-out scoring blitz in 2025-26:
2.7 2P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 5.8 FTA/G
Since 1947-48, these 12 freshmen (besides Brown Jr., and Cole, Young, Clark from earlier) also notched 2.5+ 2P/G, 2.5+ 3P/G, 5.5+ FTA/G:
5-6 FG/G
1. Jermaine Clark (1998-99) - 2.5 2P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 5.9 FTA/G (27 GP, 33.1 MP/G)
2. Shaheen Holloway (1996-97) - 3.1 2P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 6.1 FTA/G (28 GP, 37.4 MP/G)
3. Matt Morgan (2015-16) - 3.3 3P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 5.6 FTA/G (27 GP, 30.7 MP/G)
6-7 FG/G
4. Darryn Peterson (2025-26) - 3.9 2P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 5.5 FTA/G (24 GP, 29.0 MP/G)
5. Eddie Benton (1992-93) - 3.6 2P/G, 3.2 3P/G, 8.5 FTA/G (26 GP, 37.0 MP/G)
6. Kevin Martin Jr. (2001-02) - 4.4 2P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 6.6 FTA/G (28 GP, 32.6 MP/G)
7.1-8 FG/G
7. Chris Davis (1999-00) - 4.7 2P/G, 2.9 3P/G, 5.6 FTA/G (27 GP, 36.5 MP/G)
8. Donnie Carr (1996-97) - 4.1 2P/G, 3.7 3P/G, 6.2 FTA/G (27 GP, 38.2 MP/G)
9. Darius Acuff Jr. (2025-26) - 5.5 2P/G, 2.5 3P/G, 6.1 FTA/G (36 GP, 35.1 MP/G)
8+ FG/G
10. Jason Conley (2001-02) - 7.4 2P/G, 2.8 3P/G, 7.5 FTA/G (28 GP, 34.3 MP/G)
11. Alphonso Ford (1989-90) - 6.9 2P/G, 3.9 3P/G, 6.3 FTA/G (27 GP, 31.8 MP/G)
12. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (1988-89) - 8.6 2P/G, 2.6 3P/G, 6.3 FTA/G (32 GP, 36.9 MP/G)
Brown Jr. (6th overall) was chosen after Peterson (2nd) in the 2026 Draft, and right before Acuff Jr.(7th).
Benton's boxed into Note #047 on Arizona stopover Brayden Burries.
Martin Jr. joined Note #043 on 2026 No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson^, and Note #049 on 2026 22nd pick Labaron Philon.
Conley also has conviction in the Peterson Note, and Philon, plus Note #040 on Stanford standout Ebuka Okorie.
Ford fjords the Okorie Note as well, and Note #045 on former Oklahoma and Kentucky guard Otega Oweh.
And Abdul-Rauf ranks in:
Note #040 (Okorie) / Note #039 (Kingston Flemings) / Note #054 (Nick Martinelli)
Statistics via Sports Reference
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