The Brooklyn Nets have selected Mikel Brown Jr. out of Louisville University with the #6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
He is the highest Nets selection since Derrick Favors, who went #3 overall in 2010, and just the team’s second lottery pick since then, joining his new teammate Egor Dëmin. Brown Jr., who turned 20 years old in April, was a one-and-done prospect at Louisville, averaging 18/3/5 for the Cardinals on 41/34/84 splits.
In the days leading up to the draft, Brooklyn’s interest in Mikel
Brown Jr. was widely reported. The Orlando native confirmed said interest himself on Monday afternoon, when he told Erik Slater of the Locked on Nets podcast and ClutchPoints that he had met with Brooklyn three times, including a visit at his family’s house in Florida.
“Definitely unique,” he said of that particular meeting.
Brown Jr. only played 21 games for Louisville, bedeviled by a balky back. General Manager Sean Marks is expected to speak with media via Zoom late Tuesday night, where he will surely be asked about Brown Jr.’s medicals.
“I feel better than ever now,” said Brown Jr. of his back, just after getting drafted.
Still, in those 21 games, the 6’4″ guard showed why he was a consensus five-star prospect coming out of high school. He shot 65.3% at the rim on mostly self-created looks, threw some highlight passes in the pick-and-roll, and bombed away from three; you don’t have to squint hard to see the offensive potential…
There was some chatter about the Nets trading down from the #6 overall pick, not to mention the Nate Ament smoke, but they ultimately went with Mikel Brown Jr. What does this mean for Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf, two of Brooklyn’s 2025 first-round picks? Well, nothing they’d like to hear. Mikel Brown Jr. is now the franchise’s most exciting prospect, likely the most exciting young player the franchise has had since arriving in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn isn’t done yet. They still have the #28 pick and the #43 pick, though the second round of the NBA Draft is on Wednesday night, and by all accounts are actively working the phones. We’ll keep you updated with Nets news all night long, but the biggest piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.
“I can’t even put it into words, I’m just full of excitement. I mean, I’m home. I’m calling this home now.” — Mikel Brown Jr.
