Despite a left ankle injury, Mikel Brown Jr. is enjoying his first training camp with the Brooklyn Nets and learning from those around him on and off the court.
Brown sustained the injury early in camp and has been limited to non-contact drills, coach Jordi Fernández said this week
. He is working diligently to be cleared for full activity and receiving treatment from the team medical staff to get back on the court.The sixth overall pick is making the most of his time around the team by taking part in film study and closely watching his teammates. He remains engaged with the team and appears happy that the start of the season is just around the corner.
"It has been great," Brown said on Thursday. "It was just a blessing just to be back on the
court and back moving a little bit; I'm starting to get back into my routine. But, as far as training camp goes, I'm enjoying the energy. A lot of smiles and a lot of competitiveness, which I love and I love to watch as well. Just really soaking up all the information from the coaching staff and what we've been installing, and then also just talking to the vets as well because they've been through it. So, this process has been amazing."
Brown was limited to 21 games last season at Louisville because of a back injury that sidelined him midseason and during the postseason. He still became the Cardinals' highest-drafted player since Felton Spencer was selected sixth overall in 1990.
The 6-foot-5 Brown debuted with the Nets in summer league, averaging 15 points, four assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 34.6% from 3-point range in four games. He finished in double figures in each appearance, including a 20-point performance on July 10.
Brown believes summer league helped him learn the playbook and some of the concepts and coverages the team will deploy this season. While he isn't certain when he can return, Brown is eager to join his teammates for full practice in the near future.
"That is up to the performance staff," Brown said of a timetable to return to practice. "I'm just doing what I can to get back on the court as of right now."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr. gives update on ankle injury recovery
